Computer Weekly Supplement , 1982, UK, English

ttlTKANSCATAUMITED

Informatics may handle
Personal Computer

by Claim Gooding
PLANS to incorporate the IBM
Personal Computer into its soft*
ware strategy were revealed by
mainf rame software supplier In-
formatics last week. The multi-
million dollar company signalled
its intention as it announced its
European headquarters had moved
to the UK.-

It expects the IBM Personal
Computer to play a major part in
targe data processing shops in the
next few years.

Informatics chairman and presi-
dent Waller Bauer speculated that
the day might come when In-
formatics would act as a dealer
selling its software applications on
the PC machine.

"Market research figures show
that the IBM Personal Computer is
selling to the Fortune 100 market
more than any other," said Bauer.
"It*8 our job to service that mar-
ket, and mat means not just main-
frame software but extending to

the micro aa well.

“We in the computer services
industry will have the marketplace
to ourselves. The pattern emerging
is that services sell hardware. Since
we already sell applications, with
10% more effort we could sell
hardware as well," said Bauer,
who predicta $10 million worth of
hardware Bales for Informatics in •
1982.

In the US Informatics has al-
ready gone some of the way to-
wards building software which will
turn a microcomputer into a pro-
grammer’s workbench, a terminal,
or an end-user query facility
according to the skill of the user.

The product is called Informal!-
com t and at present is working on
an eight-bit Ontel microcomputer
which links with mainframes to do
a variety of jobs including terminal
emulation. The software tech-
niques developed in Informaticom
will be adapted to the IBM PC.

Informatics is waiting for IBM

to fulfil its statement of intent to
provide full 3270 emulation for the

Personal Computer but in the
meantime work is proceeding on
the syntax for the end user.

’We see the Personal Computer
as the way for the market to go,"
said Ian Dtirreil, who la the new
genera) manager of Informatics’
European operations for the soft-
ware products group. "It fits in
with the concept of providing an
information centre which can act
as a programmer’s workbench.’’

Informatics’ plan is to turn the
PC into a tool which can be as
useful to the unskilled end-user
making queries as to the exper-
ienced programmer wanting full
mainframe facilities. Users mould
be able to fetch data from remote
mainframes or execute programs
written on the PC wherever the
relevant data may be.

# The IBM Personal Computer is
being groomed for a role in the
electronic office when it reaches

"Wt will have the marketplace to ourselves.

the UK later this year.

Peachtree^ whose financial soft-
ware was picked by IBM for the
Personal Computer, is hoping that
its office software will also win the
IBM logo.

The software includes word
processing, spreadsheet ealeu-

Dealers signed up for UK launch

M/N07T0 . . . Two Compu -
terland stores planned for UK.

by Boris Sedacca

IBM is signing up UK dealers for

its Personal Computer.

There are firm indications that
the IBM Personal Computer will
be launched in the UK first this
summer and the machine is ex-
pected to get its first official
European showing at the Sicob ex-
hibition to be held in September in '
Paris.

Dealers are tight-lipped about
the whole affair. Comart mar-
keting director John Lamb was
reluctant to comment on his com-
pany’s discussions with IBM other
than to say that it had expressed to
IBM its Interest in stocking the
machine.

"I doubt whether anyone has
been signed up yet," he said.

The European operation of the
giant US Compu terland chain will
almost certainly stock the
machine. Its president, James Ml-
notto. is currently negotiating
franchise agreements with the in-
tention of opening two UK stores
soon.

“Our Computerland stores in
the US and Canada sell a lot of
IBM Personal Computers. It is a
good product and highly profes-
sional. One of our franchisees in
Boston docs not even bother trying
to sell other micros because he
knows the IBM machine so well,
S8id Minotto.

He added: "IBM runs a six-day
training course for the machine -
something you do not get with
other micro manufacturers like
Apple. We integrate this within
our own three-week training
course, which we run once a
month now that we are opening
stores at the rate of eight to ten a
month in Europe.”

Minotto plans to open 40 Com-
puterland stores in Europe by the
end of the year including the two
in the UK. Central purchasing and
distribution is based in Luxem-
bourg and Minotto claims to be
able to offer an order turnaround
timeof24houra.

Although Computerland in the
US will terminate its purchasing

agreement with Apple in July, this
will not affect (he European opera-
tion which has a separate agree-
ment with Apple Europe.

Computerland Europe was first
set up in December 1978 by Gor-
don Starr and currently has 17
shops, seven of which are in
France. Computerland France
operates as a separate subsidiary
from Computerland Europe be-
cause of exchange control regula-
tions. Minotto took over Compu-
terland Europe in July and plans
eventually to hand over the French
company to a Frenchman.

He emphasised that Compu-
terland never had any dealings
withMicrocomputerland. '

Microcomputersourcc director
Norman Park has responded an-
grily to Microland’s assertion that
he had approached them for IBM
Personal Computers. "We have
delivered eight machines which we
sold for £2,213, so what would I
want to buy them from Microland
at £2,4S0 for?" he said.

lation, mailing and telecommuni-
cations packages sold in the UK as
the Marne range. The latest re-
lease, magic Messenger, otherwise
known as Peachtree Telecommu-
nications, cracks the problem of
CP/M to CP/M communications
via a modem.

EEC aid to
Silicon Glen

THE Scottish information tech-
nology industry this year had a £1
million boost from the European
Community.

BEC grants announced last
week included cash for "Silicon
Glen” in the form of money for the
chip factory of US-owned General
Instruments, for Rodime of
Kirkcaldy, the computer peri-
pheral nuker, and for Fortronic’s
Dunfermline plant, which makes
electronic banking equipment.

The EEC cadi for Scotland was
part of a £79 million package.

diskettes

The ultimate

from

Comart

sssssEaaa

SERC to
get first
Adas 10

by Maggie McLeniog
THE Science and Engineering Re-
search Council (SERCjii to be the
first user of ICL’s IBM-conjpsribk
Atlas 10 machine.

Announced she weeks ago, the
Atlas is ICL’s first collaborative
venture with Fujitsu, and the
Model 10 la the Fujitsu 380, with t
IS mips rating and 16 megabytes
of mam store.

SERC has placed an order foe
one of the £4 million machines to
be installed at its Rutherford
Laboratory in Oxfordshire, where
it will work alongside the two
existing IBM 370/1958 and an IBM
3032 front-end processor.

"The Atlas will be used to ub
part of the burden off the 19Si, in
providing a service covering ill
types of science, particularly
nuclear physics, to over 1,000 rt-

S istered users from British ta
emic organisations," said Briu
Oakley, secretary of SERC.

This is not the first ICL equip-
ment that SERC haa bought, hav-
ing invested in about 80 Pcrq intel-
ligent workstations, and an ICL
2960 mainframe which will be
used to control the Infra Red As-
tral Satellite (IRAS), a joint project
with Holland and die US, when it
is launched next year. .

“We expect die Perq terminal!
to be linked into the Aui]
machine," said Oakley. "Ttot
expand the laboratory’s already
large network, which covers most
of the universities in the country.

The machine is due to w
installed in May 1983, and tha
announcement leads to specuuiwo
that the other order hinted at oj
ICL at the launch of the Auu
range in May may also be coo-
firmed soon.

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Tel: 01-341 0409. Telex: 296032 SEMI G

IBM in satellite share talks

by Kevan Pearson
IBM could have a share of two
different satellite services in the
UK by 1986 if talks with British
Telecom and British Aerospace
reach' fruition. The company is al-
ready involved with Satellite Busi-
ness Systems, which plans to intro-
duce a satellite service to the UK
later this year.

The UK negotiations, which
also involve GEC Marconi,

concern the provision of a multi-

purpose data communications ser-
vice directly between customers in
the UK and to the US and Canada.
It would be carried by Unisat,
which is due into orbit in 1986.

IBM's other satellite operation,
SBS. of which it is one of the prin-
cipal shareholders, plans to launch
its own service to the UK and to
Canada later this year using Intel-
sat’s transatlantic satellite for data
transmissions at up to 56 Kbits a
second.

Computer financing

Stpndhrook House, 2-5 Old Bond Street London W1X 3TB

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Thursday, July 8, 1982 Number 816 30p

UK plans for
Cobol clear a
major hurdle

wm

by Claire Gooding _

A UK proposal to streamline Co-
bol, the world's most widely used
computer language, has cleared
the major hurdle to acceptance,
after seven-year battle.

Codasyl (Conference on Data
Systems Languages), the US-
hased group which is the world’s
main technical arbiter on commer-
cial computer languages, has
meed on specifications for a '
“Validate” verb. Designed to eli-
minate tedious data validation
methods of current Cobol, it is
already in use in UK installations
such u British Gas.

"Unlike some things imple-
mented by Codasyl, Validate is a
high level facility, said John Tra-
inee, former chairman of the BCS
CoM Specialist Group. “It is
talking to the DP man in his own
language. We like to think it’s the
way the language is going.

“Without the BCS effort noth-
ing would have happened. I must
jdmjt I didn't think it would make
ii because of the sheer size of the
proposal,”

Cobol standards are strictly
controlled, and the proposals have
had to pass through as many stages

bb a Parliamentary Bill before final
approval.

Now that Codasyl has agreed on ‘
a detailed specification of the

Validate verb, it is likely that the
Ansi standards authority will agree
to "rubber stamp” the changes. It
is now up to individual manufac-
turers to implement the Validate
verb in their Cobol compilers
along the lines established by Co-
dasyl,

The British Computer Society
started the Validate ball rolling
some years ago. The ideA was to do
away with the clumsy validation
processes by putting all data speci-
fications into the Data Division.

Instead of validating each input,
which can involve hundreds of
lines of repetitive coding, the pro-
grammer can refer to the informa-
tion coded in the Data Division.
One instruction in the Procedure
Division. “VALIDATE”, refers
back to the specifications and auto-
matically checks the validity of the
item.

This puts the effort of coding
into the Data Division rather than
the Procedure Division, a de-
velopment which is not only eco-
nomical, but fits in with the trend

towards using Data Dictionaries..

Codasyl approved the idea in
principle over a year ago after re-
fecting it in 1975. But it did not
vote to approve the detailed speci-
fication until its latest meeting in
May. The complex proposals were
passed almost unanimously, keep-
ing close to the original British

proposals. .

Validate will now bewniten into t
Codasyl' i. Journal of De-
velopment , the master source of all fRIANCB . . .
Cobol deceit- iitnis, and may
even appear n die next Ansi stan-

dard. already under preparation. g

“It's a fantastic achievement for a |
proposal of this size and complex* M H B 1 B
tty - it is by far the largest lan-
guage proposal ever to get past,”
said John Piggotl of S+PC, who
chaired the BCS Cobol working M

party on the Vnlidate proposals.

Piggott maintains that the
changes Cobol is undergoing will by 'Robert |*a rrj
keep it as the top DP language of U K 1 1 A I n &
the Eighties. “The next step is to semiconductor
implement screen-handling facili- w* 11 P r °kaMy ne
tics. In a year's time we’ll be seeing hon to £10 millii
proposals which go much further lnmos_ remai
than simply handling transactions, * evcl l 1 nance
changes which deal with all facets (hr, but the N
ofVDUs. Board - lhr ° u 1

NEWS BRIEF

ICL unions
set to accept
pay offer

ICL’s unions look set to accept the
company's pay offer - but only
until the end of the year.

Votes were still being counted as
we went to press, but Tim NVebb
of white collar union ASTMS said:
“Based on the initial returns the
oiler is likely to be accepted. But
we will be back at the negotiating
table at the end of the year, when
wc know the profit figures.”

Super centre

CONTROL Data has opened what
it claims is the world’s most
powerful commercial computing
centre in Minneapolis. Accessible
from the UK via satellite links in
CDC’s Cybernet network, the
centre contains nine large-scale
computers, enabling users to solve
problems that are impractical for
conventional installations.

TRIANCB .... “It’s talking to the DP man in his (nun language. ” jUW ICliOWSlMp

Inmos may ask

Ford looks for 3,000 j Xerox acts
development systems

by Qaine Gooding
ONE of the biggest software
contracts a the commercial world
u U P ter grabs as US car manufac-
wm Ford seeks over 3,000 new
development systems.

r ord plans to introduce up-td-
wie in-house development soft-
n!IL al ,l * headquarter* in
2E®? rn » ®nd repu-

Sa h V p “ * 50 million -to
*P«d on the scheme.

Ihete is speculation that it will
pump for a system based on Unix,

uw ODcratmo l-

T?^ ee “ a L d ° Pted from

Heclnc by a number of
K&surcre in the 16- and 32-

micro and mini market.

nuSf B ^N. nianU f actut:er has been
dying its requirements for some

«n£'^„ d r haS I™ out a detailed
3f°2, l ^elopmi a t W M

It is (HbiigrtrTliat over 3,000
units will be needed for the job. A
Unix-based system is favourite for
the contract because of its flexibil-

‘ l 7 i

The name at the top of the list to
win the contract is Fortune
Systems, say industry observers in
die US. The Fortune machine was
introduced late last year and
caused a sensation in the already
crowded mini/micro market.

■ The system is baaed on the
owerful and .long-awaited

l 1- <annn .Ll. Dnininii

had spent a lot of money In
creating an end-user harness for
UnixTThe operating system is a
good programming tool, but lacks
applications and, user, interfaces,
two deficiencies which Fortune
claims to have put right.

“We know that Ford looks
favourably on our system,” said
Fortune Systems president Gary
Freedman.

by Robert Parry

BRITAIN’S State-backed
semiconductor company Inmos
will probably need an extra £5 mil-
lion to £10 million next year.

Inmos remains silent on the
level of finance it will be looking
for, but the National Enterprise
Board - through which the com-

E any has received nearly £100 mil-
on of Stale aid in grants and loans
- expects it to need a "tittle more
money” as working capital to ena-
ble it to reach profitability.

The NEB, which is now pan of
fre need

for extra money is a problem of
growth and success, not of failure,
and that the gap to be bridged

m *ioth Inmoa amlthe NE& have
already said that Inmoa will ae«l
further finance some time, but the

<vrt In nrorl 11 €T The NEB, which is now pan of

lagglllg ^.MMb AE tata need

“ r exlra “V is a P ro r b l c ? of

III.lVJLA^w>«*AWO growth and success, not of lailure,

by Howard Karten and that the gap to be bridged

BZClS^mputer, introduced a already stud JatJtamol witi need
vrar ago. Sales of the 820 are soft further finance some time, but the
a?d have caused concern at amount, and the medtod and
Xerox’s office products headquart- timing of raising it, have been kept
^Virinallas well shrouded.

UK sates are said by Xerox to be The money for next year ideally

“going as well as expected”, but
they are understood to be sagging

he Xerox last week announwd foe
Xerox '820-11 in foe UK. for de-
livery in August. It is said to have
twice foe computing speed of foe
original machine and four rimraai
much disc, storage capacity^ The
company also dropped foe Xerox
850 word: processing system from
its product roster, but plans to
build about 3,000 more systems to
mcetcurrent commitments.

The 820-II is being targeted at
business and professional users.

more

would come from an industrial
partner, but a number of options
exist. These include licensing deals
with other companies, reduction of
foe NEB’s 75% stake, or further
Slate funding. Sir Freddie Wood,
chairman of the NEB, has said that
if Inmos continues its present com-
mercial success he would be
prepared to recommend that foe
government provides foe funds as-
suming they were not available
from other sources.

• NEB failures - page 7.

UK computer history graduates
could take in $5,000 plus expenses
courtesy of computer pioneer
Charles Babbage. The University
of Minnesota's Charles Babbage
Institute lor the History of In-
formation Processing is offering its
fifth annual fellowship, to betaken
at any appropriate institution. The
address of The Institute is 104
Walter Library, 117 Peasant
Street, SE, Minneapolis, Minne-
sota. •

Logica study

LOG1CA is to continue the £2 mil-
lion work it did for the European
telecommunications authorities
under the Eurodata 79 study
contract. It is making a multi-
client study of the information
technology markets in Western
Europe for a group of UK, Conti-
nental and Amrriran w—

SHORTTERM
RESULTS.

INSIDE t

H3S WEEK’S ISSUE „

... ■ ' .. : •. Videotex 82 .•..•iff «*••••*•• J

ut can be coqrt evidence. ........... 2

• African sn!c 3 ' Micro Newe.i...

lories for mass market... ^ ..... . -. 6 g

atfetnwir : ; - ; J 1

and Peripheralsfeature'17; 20,2}. ,

Computer output can be court evidence...^....... 2

»• African sale C . .. . . . .... .. . . • 3

SSS ® K memories for mass msrket... -. 6
NEB failures milk the taxpayer i .! .V ,7

Minicomputers snd Feriphe^s-fea^-47i20^1

government to

Lettew

ProgrammeraPage
Puzzler

Ma^tolicft ..1.16,18

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Pag£s22/39

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Telex: 888103.

■Kl.-i

c+rr i

v^mpuier output can be used
as evidence - Chief Tustice

COMPUTEr'oiiidui can he .H Wood ™ managing director. The
mJssible « wfflinTcom rf he V

J»w after all, but only in limited works to f £° nl

Circumstances, if the computer tothwMrlsfden ^' k ”°™ 8

knowledge and Yt* can *bi 1 proved 5? ?!“’ !° 'f"

that it was working oroncrlf. rS iL^ 1 Li°l l ? d “ d “« d metal

that it was working properly then ■ L mcl “ d ' d metal

its output la ndniKc irideici. S m &f ,£° mp0 '

l 7 ^ui^ElS l aSrfj B , ;^ SJ5*“ “<>■“ LSM C S

dismissing an appeal by Stanley byrnaiching the arc fur-

Swssasia

computer and program used ^n^Jhe

DoSer^^Sref'Slnd" computer is used to

S fiSm l£3± !*«*«** compositions of

and Scandinavian JM^faSS * e ^ ^ P re ««t from X-
Company. Police found som? of spec-

ComiW Brice fa . f ny *** neutr0n transition spec-

^sm sst&si

S ammed in Basic to solve the qua-
atic equations was used in the
present case.

On appeal it was submitted that
an answer provided by a computer
was hearsay, and thus inadmissible
as evidence, although it was
conceded that there was no
criticism of the computer program
and its operation, and that the aus-
wers it produced were right. In
fcnghBh law, evidence is inadmissi-
k tt cannot be cross-examined.

But in this case the computer
was being used only as a calcu-
lator, with the operators feeding in
the appropriate information. The
programming and operation were
covered by oral evidence - which
took up a large part of the 32 days
of the original trial - and the com-

S iter did not contribute any in-
flation known to it alone.

The esse does not deal with
automatically generated records,

or complex computations using
things known only to the compu-
ter. Bui the decision is a useful one
ror devices generally.

. ‘.‘It** not an earth shattering de-
cision, says Alistair Kelman, a
barrister specialising in computers
and the law, “ but a useful one. If
it can be proved that a device is
working properly then its output
can be admissible as evidence.”

The rub conies in proving that a

device is working properly. Much
time had been spent at the original
trial in cross-examining computer
personnel about the correct func-
nonmg of the computer as a calcu-
lator, let alone anything more com-
plex, and Kelman feels that on cost
grounds alone a decision on com-
puter evidence is needed.

He also feels that there is atill a
lot of argument in the Wood case
- which is likely to go to the
House of Lords.

^4.

to

^ yrf V tf j- l£o

- by Ke van Pearson
“WUHIN five to 10 years IBM
will not be 370 compatible.” This
astonishing claim was made by
Kobeit Fertig, president of the US
research agency Enterprise In-
lormauon Systems, and a leading
IBM watcher.

muFf" 9 * thal by 1985 60% of
IBM s large accounts will be using

its new large machine operating
system, MVS/XA, and that IBM

• w bi-modal faciUty

in MVS/XA which allows users to
run both 370 scries software and

t£msaA hi,ccmr '

Although IBM will not with-

draw support on its previous gen-
oation operating systems, says
Fertig, it will make it increasingly
more expensive to use them, m
order 10 encourage companies to
move to MVS/XA.

MVS/XA will aUo be the crunch
point for the plug compatible in-

ivVAfr . Fcrti 8 says, since
MVS/XA is so complex that “no
plug compatible manufacturer can
Sv8vi ee c ° ra P at / biii ty With

MVS/XA until they have seen the
specifications”. He says IBM will
drag its feet over releasing the
specifications in a bid ro stall the

He backs up his view with the

alleged theft of IBM’s technical
secrets. MVS/XA is so complex
h 1 . ^Panose competitors

allegedly had to go out and steal
IBM s secrets to keep up.”--- • -
. Ferigsays it could be 1985 be-
fCMs are able to offer full
MVS/XA support, by which rime
it would be too late since IBM
wouW have changed again. Both
Amdahl and National Advanced
Systems have announced that they
will offer MVS/XA on their cur-
rent ranges.

. Amdahl has gone as far as to say
it will provide MVS/XA support
on its older 470 series machines.

In the longer term IBM has de-

ble’ claim

signed its present range of systems
to have a much longer product life
q'cle than its machines have had in
the past. Fertig says the 3081 and
3083 ranges could be around for 10-
years, and will be field upgradea-
ble to the next generation.

Fertig also lias some interesting
views on ICL. He says that the
attack on IBM’s market with the
Atlas machines, built by Fujitsu, is
only temporary, and that ICL is
working on the Atlas to convert it
to ICL code. This would certainly
make sense from ICL’s point of
view, particularly for the public
sector users who have ICL’s own
larger machines, mainly the 2980.

Plrny of work this month for town toll payroll pwgrammm. f

Council programmed
still face August
deadline on payroll

LOCAi- authorities will not be employees on the local rah?

W^ee 2 oSHEJ? f ° r Bdn “« «

Planning ruling coul
ease site problems

by Nicholas Enticknap
AN- important planning permis-
sion precedent has been set in the
London Borough of Tower
Hamlets, which should make it
easier for computer companies to
find suitable premises in future.
Tne precedent whs set by the local
planning authority following
extensive representations by
LEntA Properties Ltd.

In doing so LEntA has
overcome a limitation of existing
planning legislation, which cate-
gorises bu ildings in terms of either

! do^ r srby“h o xi?;

Midland Bank and Barclays Bank,
was set up with the aim of
discharging those companies’
social responsibility by" becoming
involved with inner city regenera-
tion.

LEntA bought an old Victorian
warehouse w Spiralfields from the
ULC. Its redevelopment plans in-

SK d -.!? tmg a f ide 0De floor of

the building exclusively for «™ii
computer companies, but LEntA !
lound the local planning authority
unresponsive.

, , 'Fhe company eventually got

tricted toCSfflbute?

Finns. These facilities are now oh
offer, and are available on leases as
shore as one month.

- LOCAL authorities will not be
affected by changes In National
Insurance contributions, but their
payroll programmers will still be
struggling to meet an August
deadline to amend payroll suites.

The government late last week
tabled an amendment to stop the
change in employers’ National In-
“ntributions, down to
12.2% from 13.7%, from applying
to local authorities. This was due
to take effect on August 2.

In his March Budget speech the
Chancellor, Sir Geoffrey Howe,
stated that the reduction would
apply to local authorities, but that
they would not gain from it as the
extra money would simply be de-
ducted from their rate support
grant.

This grant deduction has proved
impossible to make, however, so
local authorities will stick to the
old rate. But as the authorities pay
numbers of people who are not
their own employees, their pro-
grammers will nave to change their
payroll programs to accommodate' ”
these.

Cliff DWowayjvrftes: Local
authorityn^tJU programmers

Cliff DiUoway^vrltes: Local
author! tyoiu^nl programmer s
will nnrlmd . matters quite so
pimple as just not making a chang e
to the employers’ National In-
surance contribution rates. Most
local authorities pay individuals
who are not, legally speaking, their
■fmnlnyfes. Local authoring evi st

nience.

The payroll programi dmJuV
amended to calculate lbs Ls=
employer’s contributiM for &
affected individuals, idJt. ;

E reduce separate year-«d w - 1
stings. The change is eflecw j
all payments of earning! midi ;
or after August 2, 1982.

_ The points above summiret i
circular from the Depannacu
the Environment sent to k
authorities, and an amendiWT
the Finance Bill introduced bs
report stage on July 1. The si'
notice ana the adminisinthcrr
plexity of what is now itq--:
will come as no surprise to
dents of the government's cir:
to limit local government esp£
ture.

The change to the mciW
calculating PAVE that
brought Ju i^t.April, aodtJK'V

tutory rick pay calculation ite
will be introduced nut Aprils
■ being pushed through without-
possibility of mature thoughi cc
thepart of payroll programme
Tne Social Security and Hv
ing Benefits Act covering iWic’
sick pay is now law, and tb i «
p!oyers f guide will be aniJ
soon. It is an immense chinj* £
all payroll programs, and bn
working within eight mosibi- R-'
constant rushing of ameabca
into the oavroll oroaram iw^ 1

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to the following oftegodw

ee^fita rise, management

Deadlocked talks delay
French national
microelectronics plan

by Jack Gee ,

THE French government s plans
to put the country at the front of
the information revolution are
stalled by Cabinet reshuffles and a
breakdown of negotiations with
the electronics industry.

But it has pushed ahead with the
formation of a super-Ministry for
Industry and Research to em-
phasise the key role that it is giving
to the computer industry and its
innovative activities. 1
jean-Pierre Chevfcnement, 40,
who has headed the Scientific Re-
search Ministry for the past year,
has taken over the Ministry of In-
dustry from Pierre Dreyfus, 74-
year-old former head of the State-
owned Renault vehicle firm.

Chertnemem, who is highly re-
garded by French businessmen,
wants his new ministry to be orga-
nised on the lines of Japan’s Minis-
try of International Trade and In-
dustry, in which industry,
research organisations and govern-
ment work closely together.

His first task will be to organise
a programme of massive invest-
ment in computer and electronics
research which he says must be
raised from its 1980 level of FFr12
billion (£1 billion) to FFr20 billion
(£1.6 billion) in 1986.

The Minister will give special
priority to technological co-opera-
tion with other European
countries. He said recently: “The
Makes arc so great that wc have
made a failure of our policy of im-
porting Japanese or American pro-
ducts m the hope of making them
ourselves later under licence."

Chevfcnement added: “Wc must
abandon ventures of. this type.

France has enough trading and
technical capacity to negotiate with
European partners on equal terms
and to market its products on a
world-wide scale.”

But at home Chevtnement will
have his work cut out for him. The
Ministry of Industry's negotiations
with the country’s leading manu-
facturers of components are
deadlocked. As a result, publica-
tion of details of the national
microelectronics plan, originally
scheduled for early this month, is
being delayed.

Tne government has run up
against opposition by the manufac-
turers, none of which wants to be
sacrificed to the interests of a
policy to slim down the five exist-
ing groups - EFCIS, Thomson-
CSF, Radiotechnique, Eurotech-
nique and Matra-Harris Semicon-
ductor — to one or two units.

A major setback has been the
failure of a project sponsored by
the Ministry of Industry to create a
MOS manufacturer of interna-
tional stature by an alliance be-
tween EFCIS, in which Thomson
is the senior partner, and National
Semiconductor.

National Semiconductor told
the French authorities it was
prepared to go beyond the existing
manufacturing and development
arrangements with Saint Gobain in
the framework of their jointly
owned venture Eurotcchniquc.

Government officials then en-
visaged bringing CII-Honcywcll
Bull and Matra into this grouping.
They considered that a solution un
these lines would bring Matra-
Harris Semiconductor's high per-
formance CMOS components into
theassociation.

National Semiconductor
favoured an arrangement on these
lines, and offered to open the US
market to components made exclu-
sively in France, thereby favouring
Thomson-CSF’s plant which
makes discrete semiconductors.

But Thomson and the French
military authorities oppose this so-
lution. Thomson refuses because it
does not want to share its tech-
nology with its domestic rival Ma-
tra. The French Defence Ministry
is hostile because it does not want
American interests to share the
control over the future firm.

The French authorities are now
trying to encourage an alliance be-
tween Matra and National
Semiconductor. But the introduc-
tion of National Semiconductor
will be difficult to reconcile with
Matra’s existing partnership with
Harris, and even less so with Intel.

The scheme would also conflict
with the competitive sales and de-
velopment policies conducted by
Eurotechnique-National Semicon-
ductor and Matra-Harris in
France.

Experts consider that a compro-
mise solution Unking National
Semiconductor, Thomson and
CII-HoneyweU Bull would be feas-
ible if military and civilian activi-
ties within EFCIS were separated.

The disadvantage of this ar-
rangement would be to break up
the association between the French
Atomic Energy Authority and
Thomson in the framework of EF-
CIS.

But industrial observers see no
other answer to the problem of
treating a co-ordinated computer
compnnems industry for France.

ICL fined for South African sale

by Linda Rout

ILL and its South African sub-
sidiary have been fined $15,000 for
illegcd violauons of the US Export
rtiimmisttauon Act which restricts
^ of spxified equipment to
South Africa.

The ill-fated transaction took
Place .n 1978 when ICL included
iunc disc drives made by Control
Data in a UK-assembled system

PMV er Tu‘° ^ Somh African
ru The system was to be used
tor the administration of pass laws
H re Pdate the movement and
employment of non-whites in the

country.

At the time, ICL workers
protested against the sale on ethi-

cal grounds.

The inclusion of the Control
Data equipment appears to contra-
vene US export controls brought
in by the Carter Administration.

They were inspired by LIN calls
for sanctions against South Africa.

The controls prohibit the export
or re-export of communities in-
tended. for use- by the South
African military or police.

The US State Department de-
manded an investigation into the

GRAHAM . . . Unions' stance it non-co-operation and hostility.

Civil Service unions to
pull out of govt
technology agreement

transaction in Mny 1979, and the
subsequent action brought ICL
and ICL South Africa to court in
March this year. A statement re-
leased by the US Department of
Commerce after the settlement
says that die companies consented
to pay the $15,000 "civil penalty"
in return for the dropping of
further proceedings by the Depart-
ment.

The firms neither admitted nor
denied the violations.

ICL headquarters and ICL New
York were unavailable for com-
ment. ■

by Kevan Pearson
ALL nine Civil Service unions de-
cided last week to withdraw from
their new technology agreement
with the government. A major
confrontation could develop if the
Treasury persists in its stated in-
tention rhai the agreement cannot
be prematurely terminated.

Leaders of the unions concerned
decided to endorse the decisions
taken at annual conferences by the
two largest unions - the Civil and
Public Services Association, and
die Society of Civil and Public Ser-
vants - not to back the agree-
ment. But pursuing this course of
action could prove more difficult,
because die Treasury says it will
not acknowledge the withdrawal.

A spokesman for the Treasury
said: “There is no provision for a
premature withdrawal on the pan
of the unions. The agreement is
still in place and the government
will not be deterred from introduc-
ing new technology within its
framework." The agreement came
into force on March 22, and was
intended to run for two years.

Alistair Graham, general secre-
tary of the CPSA, said theji£>c££a

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982 3

House full
for expert
systems
seminar

by Nicholas Enticknap
A SEMINAR on expert systems
held in London on Tuesday at-
tracted such a large response that
many would-be delegates had to be
turned away, according to the or-
ganisers, SPL International. As a
result three further briefing ses-
sions on this topic are being orga-
nised, one in the UK and two
abroad.

The seminar was given by Ed-
ward Feigenbaum, director of the
heuristic programming project at
Stanford University, and was orga-
nised in conjunction with SPL’s
Fifth Generation conference,
which started yesterday (Wednes-
day).

The response to this event was
not quite so enthusiastic; the hall
had not been filled as we went to
press. SPL’s Wendy Allen des-
cribed the response as “fantastic”
but then refused to disclose the
actual number of delegates.

A poor response would be sur-
jJjj LU prising, as the fifth generation
concept has aroused great interest
a and provoked much discussion in

JT this country, particularly in aca-

' • demic and research circles. The

concept was originally described in
1 a re P° rL published in English last
autumn by the Japanese Ministry
for International Trade And Indus-
will examine all the projects which try (MITI).
come, and will assess members’ Thai report describes in concep-

attiiudes before deciding what ac- tua! terms the architecture of the
tinn to take on any attempts to new generation, which is fuiida-
intruduce new technology. mentally different front the pre-

The general stance, he said, is sent generation of mainframes. Ii
“non-co-operation and hostility’’. outlines a 10-year plan covering
This could precipitate a serious the development and production
crisis in the Civil Service. The ol the system,
stances taken by the two sides dn For those tin film i liar with the
mu appear lu leave much rot mi lor concept, it is. in essence a bold bid
compromise. The government, in to do away with many of the limi-
particular seems intent on taking a rations imposed by traditional
strong line on uny trade union computer architecture. In place of
disputes. If the civil servants rc- the Boolean-logic based processing
fuse to co-operate over die intro- used in ail computers hitherru, the
duction of new technology, the fifth generation will employ an en-
govermnent could suspend or even lirely new inferential form of
dismiss the employees concerned. processing which is much closer to
The unions will now be looking rhe way human beings reason,
to re-negotiate the agreement, with This basic concept is discussed

better guarantees lor job prorcc- in considerable detail, and some uf
tion, a shorter working week and its technical implications, such as
earlier retirement. The present the need for faster and more highly
agreement does guarantee that integrated circuitry and for much
there will be no job losses as a larger memories, are spelt out,
result of the introduction of new The report even proposes a theu-
lechnology. reiical hardware configuration,

But the government is also pur- consisting of a network of inter-
suing a cosr-cuttiug exercise in the relating modules, that would do

GvU Service which would result in ihp ioh

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4 COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

VIDEOTEX 82

5,000 visitors turn o
for New York show

THERE was somethin* for Hm* n .. .. .

by Howard Karten

THERE was something for
everyone at the Videotex 82 con-
ference held in New York last
week, as some 5,000 visitors - in
States ranging from moderate to
extreme enthusiasm — turned out
to view more than 50 exhibits and
listen to nearly 100 papers.

The papers ranged from such
abstruse topics as ‘‘Computer net-
working lor Bildschirmtext” to
such practical ones as Oracle

ng for line Conferences, Rediffusion, and
“ con- Computex Systems,
irk last IBM took over an entire room to

!"r “ S" 8 ®* to offerings of IBM in
erate to different countries, and the IBM
Md out suite was well-attended, no doubt
wts and stimulated in part by its recent
product announcements.

well be the question mark, ob-
served Gary Aden, publisher of a
viewdata newsletter, since there
were still so many unanswered
questions.

That theme was reiterated at a
Press conference. Addressing a

wre demonstrating products and

srSfkfnt rfn Cy Met ? gcn “ f «« s available through Captain,

ng on Making money from the Japanese viewdata effort. P

TWj even, ™ .welU*.
tended, and conference organisers vely few visitors

turnout. ^ y PlCaWd mth the .Making money via the use of
The meetinB ‘ with mnm "*"“*■ and teletext seemed to be

2,000 square metres of exhibition Sv^ttend^*?^ ° f

space, clearly ecliosed last veur's m attendees. Several speakers
the delight a!d” Sm “P 1 "*! toe possibilities of using

consternation of the harried exh£ “ “njimcrion with

bition and registration personnel j- ew ^A ta , 8,1 d teletext, and

Among the British Srms repre- Th^r* e k, rC i earc ? 10 ^ atc j
*n,ed n. BVT, Mallard, &n- J h 3r^r < SS^“3S|

No room for emotion
on viewdata systems

w « u . re Pfesemed at London, echoed a common theme
videotex 82 , both in the exhibits with his observation that teletext
section and as speakers. seemed to be particularly well

Koy Vivian, principal engineer suited for use as a mass consumer
in tne automation and control sec- medium, while viewdata was in-

f inn nf ihp aVUArivnanlnl J. I.. •

product announcements. umierence. Addressing a

An interesting contrast could be R rou P,. domestic and foreign
seen in another room holding sev- {“““hats, J°bn Butcher MP, Un-
eral Japanese companies which dcr_ Secretary of State for Indus-
were demonstrating products and **7’ .Panted out that although
services available through Captain, teI ® v J? 10n was actually invented
the Japanese viewdata effort. , 1 transmitted in Scotland,

Possibly in the wake of the IBM £ . toe Americans to turn it to
spying affair, the suite drew relati- (“ profit-making) use. I

rely few visitors. “P® that happy partnership can

Making money via the use of bended again."
riewdata and teletext seemed to be Butcher also noted that “this
lumber one topic in the minds of conference is about people makin g

SiK!?** 8, 5^“ al s ?* k . er8 mon ?y " suppliers, information
apiorea the possibilities of using providers, system operators ” He
[overusing m conjunction with went on to cite growth statistics on
iewdata and teletext, and Prestel - growth in the number of
iscussed their research to date. installed sets, in the number of
I ne corporate logo for viewdata information providers, the number
na viewdata parucipams might of frames available, and so on

of frames available, and so on. BUTCHER . . . "Thi, confine i, about peopt, making mooey. »

Network interface and gateway
feature in snate of annmmrpmpntG

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Power to Signs

HORSHAM-BASEDSip,
fe* System hu
£ l&OjOOO order from the Cam
Electricity Generating Bod b
Sigma Senes 7000 hlgh-rtscfe
colour graphics display tam*
lers The controllers vA\btm
to develop display gofnwt h
fault location systems la six mf
control centres. Equippk i
centres with controller over 4*
next three years could bring Sm
a total of over £1.5 million to4
of orders. Each centre is to kn
about 20 displays.

tion of the experimental de-
velopment department of the Inde-
pendent Broadcasting Authority,
noted that the IBA booth had at-
tracted so much attention that it

, » nuo hi-

crea8ingly seen as a business-to-
business medium.

In an observation remarkably
candid for an advertising insider,
Wolfe noted that "Gimmicky

7 “wi h wane noiea mat tiimmickv **•“«*■

graphics seem less important than SISt8 ,° f
hteraturc, Indeed, IBA's Level information - you can’t eflecti- tor > *“5
Four teletext display stopped vely run ‘emotional’ material on
many passers-by — but Vivian viewdata.” shades,

said he doubted whether lew) In , nA th» a — .u ^

VIDEOTEX 82 was the scene for
a spate of announcements relating
to studies and products.

AT&T launched a Frame
Creation Terminal intended for
use by system operators or in-
formation providers in entering in-
formaUon or modifying existing
frames. The $34,000 device con-
sists of a control unit, colour moni-
tor, keyboard, and graphics tablet,
and can display more than 65,000

—a l — -- -V T1YUU1

smd he doubted whether Level
Five teletext would prove practical
m terrestrial transmission.

At a conference session ex-
ploring advertising as a money-
making venture, Alan Wolfe, mar-
keting services director for adver-
tising firm Ogilvy and Mather of

In another session Arnold
Reymcr, president of marketing
research consultants Reyraer and
Gersin Associates of Southfield,
Michigan, noted that potential
viewdata users seemed receptive to
the idea of ads and shipping guides
embedded in viewdata.

The unit is currently being
tariffed in Florida, and Viewdata
C® 1 ? America, a subsidiary of
Knight Ridder Newspapers, will
be the first customer. The Frr

be the first customer. The FCT
on b e offered by American
Bell, the newly named, unregu-
lated arm of AT&T.

— ° • — - •**““*« wuucuucu m vicwoara. rated arm of AT&T

COMDEX SPRING 1982 mmmmmmssm

Sweet smell of success
for transatlant ic ZX81

TSloS^nffinn nnn >

AT&T also announced the
availability of specifications for
two interfaces to a Bell system net-
work currently in the planning
stages. The network, now being
®™Jod Local Area Data Transport
(LADT), would provide packet
switching services at speeds rang-
ing from 9.6 Kbps to 56 Kbps. It
is expected to be introduced be-
tween 1983 and 1985, subject to
political and regulatoiy approval,
and would provide packet
switching data transport accessible
through the public switched net-
work.

. CCG, the computer co mm unis.
tionB group of the Trans-Canada
telephone system, announced that
it would begin a one-year field trial
of its iNct gateway concept. The
wall due for launch on July 12,

will place 250 Telidon termi-
nals i and 150 standard alphanu-
meric terminals in businesses and
some consumer environments
throughout Canada.

The iNet gateway is described as
a single point of access to-simplify
gathering, using and communicat-
ing information for users."

Ayr Viewdata of Surrey an-
nounced that it had introduced its
range of Preatel and Teletext set-
top decoders to the US market.

. Systemhouse of Ottawa, Onta-
rio, a major Canadian consultancy,
announced the availability of
videotext software for the Hewlett-
Packard HP3000 computer. The
Svstemhouse software is compati-
ble with AT&T’s proposed PLP

spokesman.

TSIDOO.A mllUonunK^riUhiwe
been shipped worldwide by the
end or this year and it would be
more easily recognised in the UK

SafrZX8 S’" 8 * 11 " Dame aa the sin *
In its transatlantic version the T

Sfodai / 01 Tim “ ^ toe S for

Since its launch in Chicago early
tois year the demand has been
enonnous according to the Timex
stand staff at Comdex Spring 1982,

ui Atlantic City. One o/these said:

difficulty for Sinclair and Timex.

Sinclair s new machine, Spec-
tnun^is not yet available in die US
tiut Timex cimnot wait to get its

hand8onihem M .

IBM had brought its prototype
Jfo^screen plasma display to see if

“Walking past the stand, let alow
to actually see the device,
mterest waa reasonable. The de^
^ w ?s an elegant piece of
hardware, with a screen 13 inches

veloping Into industry standards,

Sd& e . theywcretheb “^

tost you don’t

^10, ank’SS 1 beSbfo & ^ don’t

colour you hke as long as it's SIS u ebest , to succeed: you

lESii-il

tion. ‘ ° —

• The IBM stand was one of the
few not to have the IBM Personal
Computer on display. Latest ru-
mour on the PC British launch is
this autumn.

, , ^. dam Osborne, the power be-
hind the Osborne 1 portable com-
puter, announced at his Press con-
ference at Caesars Palace, an
agreement with Softech
microsystems of San Diego to
supply the UCSD p-system operat-
ing system free with each Osborne
machine sold.

™ “ 811 adequate operating
patera, but we must go with Pa»-
“Jiand any program written on a
P-code machine can be run on any
utoer p-code machine. P-system
has a standard diskette format, aS

^ s lfe“ pt ™ u ' d, “ indua -

Asked when the large^creen
become available,
^ f 81 most of toe com-
?J^ t8 ° n toe screen size come
from people who don’t actuallv
own one of his machines. “There's
SnfcWwfe coming in early Sep-

-•S/V

-

_ — • ~ ly jwcceea,

r-8ystem also found favour trith .. .
severri other luminaries at Com- you . w ? nt on 8 microproces-

dex. Portia Isaacson, president of 8 nunlcom I?utcr-type shared

Texas-bared Future Computing Fw^° r operatm 8 system like

went as far as to say “The last t£?.. ~ wins every

CITIBANK has ordered three n
tenni- Brmvn ’ s B «>* Model 3299 ttnraJ
iphanu- V, “ f£ e r L c ° n t ro 1 lers Don
ises and pfeckheath-based Brown’iOpK-
aments P 8 s y 8tein Services. The wend-
lers will be used to handle up
ribed as 8e . ven dial-in calls at a timefeai
iimplifv wide varieI y types of rermiml b
mnicat- customers’ offices to Citibanii
IBM mainframes. The bank ii!l
ey an- now have a total of 37 Brou'i
jred its Boxcs “ branches including To-
ext set- kyo, Madrid and Puerto Rico.

, Onta- Printer deal

iltancy, ANADEX has won a flOOJUV
“ty of order for its DP-9501 200 dm*
eW T?- ter second impaa mairixpra-
r. ine ters from graphics system*
“tg^ti- supplier Westward, which pbnnu
“ PLP sefl them with its display rermioils
• to a as graphics wotkstatinai

\by Andrew Thomas

H ie of the seminars the nbi-
Adam Osborne obsenfd
ire are two types of rii-
le non-modi Gable prodoa
yames and word process
a, and the customhei !?■
is products,
modifiable wftware ri
be the preserve of mu
houses, ’ stated Osbont
big ..companies try ft “o
tilled

er statement of coitm»
ime out of this
from DEC vice-preadw
icobs: “DEC inteai* b
nave a share of the nwj

cc88or market within two

The latest products fro® ®
are probably the best-co^JJ
entries to the already ct®*®® 1
\i micro market. The mkra/PUf- 1 ''

T. . . announced at toeNCCatHoyg
lit i .earlier this year, put m IB w*
public appearance. SeUihg
d” than $10,000, it

11/23 performance in ^a W » .

°ces- than sra inches high,

Lared dudes 10.8 Mbyfes-of dlis W

like All DEC’S operating

ivery run on the new producji IwWS!

• RSTS arid RSX-llM-plm- . .

Mhi

, ' i — ; . . • • 1 : • •• • • f -r - *. i ‘ r.* t.ii!

SOFTWARE

BRIEF

SOFTWARE FILE

Colour
graphics
for Apples

LEADING Apple suppUer Per-
tonal Computers is to sell colour
graphics software and a high defi-
mdon plotter “interface witii the
Apple micros. Priced at £75, the
PpS Graph software generates

s& dp sr 7 h «s;

which costs £969, gives a choice of
10 colours and uses two pens
simultaneously.

Air freight system

REVENUE control and cost in-
formation for air freight companies
is offered with the Airpak system
developed by Freight Computer
Services, a subsidiary of the
National Freight Consortium. De-
ligned on a “building block”
concept to be flexible to all sizes of
company, Airpak costs from
£20,000 and runs on Honeywell
Level 6 minicomputers, under the
G/COS MOD 400 operating
system.

Motor trade aid

BUREAU Automatic Data Proces- 1
sing has launched an order entry
system aimed at dealers in the
motor, agricultural machinery and
factoring trades. Called ADP On-
line, it has already been available
in the US for nine years, and links
parts stock control with compre-
hensive accounting facilities to
provide an order entry and point of
sale invoicing aystem. It costs
uound £145 per week to run.

APL courses

INTERNATIONAL time sharing
bureau 1. P. Sharp Associates is
holding courses in the use of APL
around the 1 UK throughout July.
Venues include London, Bristol,
Coventry, and Aberdeen. Courses
cost between £75 and £250 de-
wnding on subject and duration.
For further information, contact
Margaret Joachim, I. P. Sharp As-
sociates, 132 Buckingham Palace
Road, London SWl.

For estate agents

AN estate agents’ system has been
designed by Business and Admin-
istration Systems of Boreham-
wo°d, Herts. Written in Pascal to
nm under CP/M or MP/M on the
Ran Black Box micro range, it in-
cludes word processing facilities
and, |ives full details on the current
position of any property or appli-
cant.

Omnix milkman

TAPPING the milk market, Com-
puier Automation has appointed
*°rce$ter-based OrcharQ L)ata as
an Omnix franchisee. to penetrate 1
the retail milk delivery trade. Or-
chard Data has developed the
Roundsman package to run on
v-A s Naked Mini range, which is
compatible with Omnix. The
Koundsman handles up to 50

eu?$L aad costs about

l 10,000 inclusive of hardware and
software.

Personnel admin

BRISTOL based United Personnel

% r ^!, haS i toe System

personnel administration pack-
*8e- It is tuned to be available to
ttmply with new Employee Statu-

(ESSP > legislation,
effective April 1983. Written for
l ows Instruments' range of minis
SL^ Cn *’ f S P lcm w is a de-
X5X n 0f to* S V 8tem 80 pen-
Qi administration software, and
tailored to fit individual

‘The industiy
is under-selling
itself-BIS chief

by Kevan Pearson and systems analysis, and less to

IBM has a lot to teach the software marketing and selling.

by Kevan Pearaon
IBM has a lot to teach the software
industry about selling their pro-
ducts, Roger Graham, managing
director of BIS, told a specialist
group at the World Computer Ser-
vices Industry Congress in Copen-
hagen at the end of last month.

“Software manufacturers have
to understand what IBM under-
stands about this business, that the
marginal cost of the product is un-
der 20% of the total cost, the rest is
marketing, distribution, support,
maintenance and profit.

“We are under-selling our-
selves. The future of the industry
lies in spending more money and
effort on marketing its products,”
Graham said.

His arguments are a direct re-
buttal of the position taken by

PhiUppe Dreyfus, vice-chairman
of Cap-Gemini-Sogeti, who told
the congress that tne future of the

software industry lies in applying
more resources to programming

Graham also said that most of
the growth in the software market
in the future will be in providing
packages for specialised industry
applications, and not in the mass
market packages like payroll
systems and other financial pack-
ages. “Packages will become much
more 'industry specific^'he said.

Another significant change will
be the growth of "software
OEMs”, companies which take
the products of another software
house and who add value to these
products to sell either to end users
or to other manufacturers. We
have already seen this kind of
thing in the micro software mar-
ket, said Graham.

One of the notable examples is
the micro-based relational data-
base system MDBS 3, which is
being used by a number of British
micro software companies both as

COMPUTER 'WEEKLY, July 8,1982 $

by Maggie McLening

Emulator
replaces

DRS20

A PACKAGE from MAP Compu-
ter Systems may undercut ICL’s
sales of DRS 20 ternunals by
offering a cheaper link with main-
frames.

Oldham-based MAP has de-
veloped an emulator for ICL’s
C02 mainframe, protocol that
allows any microcomputer running
under the CP/M operating system
ro be linked with ICL’s 1900 and
2900 range of machines as a 7502
intelligent terminal. Although ICL

GRAHAM . . . IBM understands the softtuare business.

a development tool and as an inte-
gral part of their own products.

In terms of the international
market^ Graham said that overseas
expansion is best achieved by set-

sUmdartl features. And if you
nt-ed more, we have mure than
eiiiHlgh optic ins In clmnse fo'lfi.

GE is Your Best Choice
for Quality Options.

A 32 K Text Kditurallinvs
von In wi irk tiff-line in reduie
■ hi - line lime niKlcummtmici-
linn charges as much ns 7d

Learning CP/M

9 N .self-instruction
k ° r ? c operating

iJPfJ?.? 88 **« n announced by
Educat ional

Rica ^ qf Heath

MacWILLIAM . . . extension of
Western Union mail system into
Europe.

Letter
service
for UK

AMERICAN communications
specialist Western Union has
launched a version , of its Priority
Mail Service in the UK.

It is a joint project with English
China Clays, whose ICL dual 2960
mainframes and three ME29 ter-
minals are to be used as the base of
the fivatem. -Rygnnmlli/ Westprn
UhitfnHopfes to set up's network ol
printers and terminals throughout
the country.

Although primarily aimed at
mpipanies or individuals wanting
. to send a message to a group of
people, or mass mail shots, Prior-
ity Mail can be used for single let-
ters. It costs 20 top if the recipient
lives within London, the South-
East, East or Greater Machester.
The price rises to 25 top if outside
die ranjje of the Post Office’s
electronic sorting system.

Contents of the letter can be sent
to Western Union by telephone,
telex, word processor, terminal,
facsimile machine; or on a magnet
tic tape. Tape can also be used for
sending a mailing list. Western
Union reformats the message,
sorts the list of recipents to avoid
duplicates, prints' them in Lon-
don, and sends them by first class
post within 24 Hours. . . , •

At the moment, it is primarily
of use for mall shots,, but from
August there will be a lwk-pp with
the US servjce and there are plans
to further extend toe service.

"We are poised to announce that
We ate extending the system into
. Europe in. 1 the: near future,” sfcjd
jack MacWilliam, managing direc-
i tor of Western Union. ,T There qre
I - more tosh 2,400 terminals, linked
r Info the service in the US, at the
l mcmenr, .whefo -toe. network has
i, been running for foe past tortej

Imincdialv, reliable hardcopy on-line lime mul comnumiai*

thtia ciHiuminicniinus with a lion charges as much as 7d

sustained ISO cps rale. Whether] Transmission speeds are avnil-
ymi’re linking several depart I able from 1 10 In 9600 hand,

inenls within the _ _ ^ ^ _

rs,;*. With CiF 7

within the same * W I Vl 1 Lmm I

citv. ..or intercom #

necting print \ir\\ IK

stations in cities II I Vl II II

around the world, 11 1 / vyvtl

GE 2120 printers I

are ideal in elec- 1 A f" C *

Ironic mail or other yVL/1 y| ^

communication 7S

network applications. W'

Stylish, compact, lightweight, i A range of data buffers front
quiet and easy-to-use, the 2K to 16 K capacity provide the

ting up a directly owned sub-
sidiary, or an agency.
Distributorships are only suitable
for micro software costing less
than $5,000.

General Electric nisi i offers
the GE 20;i0 printer. Identical
to the- GE 2120 in standard
features and available < iptimis,
the GE 2020 prints at sustained
speeds up to tjtJ cps. Of course,
there is ■ >ne < 'liter difference . . .
it also costs less. Sn if you don't
need the S|)ecr|, selecting diet IE
2(i:«) may be your best choice.

offers ICL users a far cheaper al-
ternative.

There are emulators for ICL
protocols already available on the
market, but these are usually in
the form of a board that slots into
the back of the micro, and the user
has to buy a specific make of com-
puter as part of ihe package.
MAP's emulator offers users the
chance to connect an existing
machine into the mainframe for
about £1,000, including installa-
tion assistance and support. -

■ ■'‘■•IJSrfJl Jr. aiJV -

Match the Printer
to the Problem.

With GE 2120 printers
irryour network,
word gets around fast.

For communication netwra ks.
time sharing, ol der entry. CRT

quiet and easy-to-use, the 2K to 16K capacity provide the time sharing, older entry. Cl

energy efficient GE 2120 comes throughput efficiencies you need hard copy, process contn >1 . .
with an outstanding list of at high transmission speeds. just a few of ijip mam; f.m«*

Yiii get chi ikes iii j «v>, , i ;;^ a r,R *2000 print er family all' <ws

... adjustable iractore. And a range you to meet your needs pre-

C , of other useful options and ac- dsely. Efficiently. Effectively.

mmm

supplier with ovvi a decade of
«-x|»oiii«c mei'lmg a wide range
of data printing needs.

And ici iiemher, our 1 1 mis go
hack i" Tin mias
Edison. It was in
I his tradition that

wem w-r in we intro-
duced the first
elect runic print er
with inulcrn LSI
circuitry Since
g then, .we've con-

J ^7T" tinned to advance

1 k j I ^ the quality and
reliability ..f
printer technology.
General Electric. . .the
industiy leader in electronic
printing. We pioneered the in-

You'll Find We Have
More Than One
Model of Excellence.

;Who'S First in
Electronic Printing?

Today. General Electric is a
specialized full-line printer

t

' . . Fbr.thfl solution to your printing needs postttiday to;' . , . ... . ...jjf

btemational^ 'General ^ Electric. Ill

GENERA L^lELEtiTRl^ f ^

is-, stm-

W qujVtPUTER WEEKLY, July 8„1982

MICRO NEWS

Inmos 64K memories
set for mass market

BRITAIN’S mass market tnicro-
elrctronics hope Inmos last week
officially launched its entry to the
burgeoning 64K memory market.
Chaps have already been sampled
by major customers, but they are
now to become more widely avail-
able.

Distributors Hawke Electronics
and Rapid Recall should have
stocks on their shelves in August
or September, says Inmos
European marketing director
David Sherwood. Bv then custom-
ers should be ready to order in
quantity after their initial assess-
ments and device qualification.

The 64K dynamic RAM mar-
ket, put at 220 million units for
1983 by Sherwood, is still domi-
nated by the Japanese manufactur-
ers, with several companies
turning but more than a million
units a month. Inmos has more
modest aims for the time being: It
reckons to ship hundreds of thou-
sands of parts this year and mil-
lions next.

Production of the 64K dRams
initially wiil be from the US plant

in Colorado Springs,' but the com-
pany intends to put the devices
through its UX factory at
Newport, Gwen;. Backed by die
UK government to the tune of £50
million, and with as much again in
loan guarantees and development
grants, Inmos is likely to need an
extra £5 million to £10 millio n
working capital during the next
year to reach profitability.

The Inmos chip is up at the fast
end of the speed range for 64K .
dRams. It comes in 100 ns and 120
ns access time versions, putting it
ahead of die bulk of the parts from
the dominant Japanese manufac-
turers.

But the performance carries a
price premium. The Inmos chips
will sell for £17 and £13 in 100
quantities, compared to a typical
£5 for 150 ns parts from Japanese
mass producers.

One way to increase the speed of
moving data on and off the
memory chip without having to
beef up the performance of the
chip so much is to raise the
number of bits of data supplied at

one time. Texas Instruments has
just done this with its TMS4416
chip, which has 64K bits organised
as 16K by four.

The chip is based on TTs cur-
rent 64K offering, but outputs
four bits at a time. This gives it
four times the bandwidth - the
' number of bits available in one
cycle time - of the earlier 64K-
by -one-bit chips, and so has an
increased dara.rate.

TI reckons that such memory
chips will find applications in high
resolution graphics systems,
providing the memory require-
ments at a lower cost per bit and
power consumption than fast static
RAMs or 64K by one bit and 16K
dynamics.

The other main benefit of adopt-
ing the 16K by four bits organisa-
tion is a reduction in the minimum
amount of memory that can,be-
added to a system in one go.

For eight-bit systems, eight
chips arc needed when organised
as single bits, which means a
minimum increment of 64 Kbytes
when using the current crop of

by Robert Pay

Net0 P JTt f aclm y‘ Wafer lines are now running test chips and will be producing 64K dRAMihjd,

64K dRAMs. With the 16K by
four organisation this drops to 16
Kbytes, and needs only two chips
to implement.

Inmos will be bringing out a
16K by four bits device towards

the end of this year, with volume
shipments early in 1983. An 8K by
eight bits chip will follow.

• Both NEC and Hitachi plan to
more than double their production
capacity to over two million units a

month by early 1983 to nwiifc
increasing demand for lom-tm
contracts for 64K dRAMi fa
European and US computer a!
telecommunications manu&mt

Plug-in card duplicates
‘uncopyable’ discs

THE battle between software pro- and registers to the back-up &.
tecuon systems and disc copiers As long as the program resides «■
for program back-up is hotting up tirely in the 48K RAM, then s£l
a S®* n - . . then be a full back-up copy of dt

A plug-in card for Apple IIs has program on the disc.

father when the back-up 4 k »
SySt< 5Tu m Green ' booted, it resiorcs the contenoef
™ ™“ dIesex » whic Ji can copy ram and resuines executing ih
P™«cted programs, program where it was interrupt
XL A® i“ 5$ r ^ d A C J ntJrdy in This facility makes it a useful uri

e I 48 S bf RAM. ■ for debugging and analysing

t ^ 1C protectors have programs too, says Sather.

Snapshot cut mute.

fh. b hi, iSS P ^SS. ,h,t ’??" disassemble, step and mce e s
SSu" SS? h0 LS i “ terruption each time.

SW iSf ElES k S.d.erdevelopjdS^

programs themselves - the best toK

protected micro software around, and b^ame mterestea wony
m his view at^tfrop era ting software. He to

Protected disc, as^O^opiers “ V ^ bccom i Ig ray

do, but dumi»^fiSory contents t DCO ™

to an m^fotSted back-up disc, sophisticated.

UiflCme device, the Apple must “You may need hours or a*T

ve the Apple language card or fiddling with parameter! w

Microsoft or Computers top RAM playing trial and error

from

that 11 dQM not try tocppjrihe

Protected disc, as^O^opiers “ V ^ bccom i Ig ray

do, but dumi»^fiSory contents t DCO ™

to im jptftftected back-up disc, sophisticated.

UiflCThe device, the Apple must “You may need hours or a*T

ve the Apple language card or fiddling with parameten w

Microsoft or Computers top RAM playing trial and error W w
cards in place. - them with the bir-copiers, «!>

The & iapshot board plugs iftto^wSather. “Snapshot copra
^~ T '” 1111 «* i % niii I ii counec-^with... the same straigbo®^

XENIX is UNIX system
enhanced by Microsoft.

XENIX can be us6d commer-
cially NOW without in-depth '

knowledge of UNIX system

^ri access to expensive
UNIX system source code.

XENIX is supplied by Logica at
a sensible pnee with a full ranqe
of suppoi t services.

avai!ab] e for the entire
DEC PDP-11* range with all
standard DEC (and look-alike)
peripherals supported.

1> attend rfcs '

™£ ,XlSrt of Miciosoft

I S, 19 " lMClQIT,d,k of LaboMior.es .

PDP1 1 a a I'acfemu* of D.gtiai Equipmew CorpoMi.on

operato9

cable.

The Snapshot back-up disc -
itself unprotected - is booted, as
“ the program to be copied.
Snapshot can interrupt a running
program at any point, when u
dumps the contents of memory

^Wth.^the same stmignnfl ,3 !“
procedure 'to unprotected diw. »
under a minute.

Programs it cannot copy *j*
those, like some laige

games and accounting pac»fO>
which use overlays ana reprtW
refer back to tneir own atf*

XENIX has been implemented

for the Z80QO, 8086 and 68000

16 -bil microprocessors and
complete systems with XENIX

are now available from Logica.

XENIX on-site installation by
Logica will ensure that your
system is operational quickly.

XENIX installation includes
basic training and avoids the
trivial problems of becoming
familiar with such a comprehen-
sive system. Additional traininq
can be arranged.

XENIX users can take advan-
tage of the Logica Telephone
Support Service for help and
advice.

XENIX related products to
improve or extend the already
comprehensive range of XENIX
functions are also available.

XENIX one day seminars are
arranged monthly. Find out more
about XENIX at the next
seminar The fee is £35 plus VAT
per delegate.

For further information please
contact: .

XENIX Sales Office
Software Products Group .
Logica Limited
64 Newman Street
London W1A4SE

^telephone 01-637 9111 .

Ifelex 27200

Positron to enter small
business market in UK

MERSEYSIDE micro manufac-
tUrer Fosiuon Computers is to
spread its mugs into the small
business systems mark e t .

It has rimed up $haw Business
t-entrea of Bolton to distribute the
Positron 9000 microcomputer
nationally, and is exploring distri-
bution possibilities m France and

machine has been available
to the education market since the

■E£L I*,-**' year, ; distributed .
through Griffen and George, but is
P®* aetto go for the business mar*
sofiww? ° ^e of , application
; It can .function as a standalone

using a Seagate five Mby tt Wj

inch drive has recently been*** 3
to the 6809-ba8ed machine- ,

. The Positron 9000
veloped by two ex-IBM systMjj*'
gineers,, Peter Lofru*

PUnston, with ' baling goto*.
Anglo American Venture Fund.

Applications so ftf
eluded a CAD/CAM
developed at the University
ford and a workftatloA •
transcribe enj^eenhgd«^^A-'-
machine roof tapes -frqjji lyPrf,-
Logic of St HelenSi V
I*we are now
major impads-'inlo
share, of the roore

^ivate networks And mtetfacibg tp Tand y/' Say s Lpftus>', -r.
It rwilj also be avail- But W rinphaSiw

• •. A Winches^r disc optibpi ' ahi^ '^process

company news mmmm
Massive share-out as
GEC comes up
with record results

tibMPU^TjfeR WE^fCL Y; july 8,1 9«i

by Kevan Pearson
BRITAIN'S electronics industry
continues to shi ne - After a record
year. General Electric is paying a
massive 15p a share in dividends,
reflecting a 50% increase in its
ash holdings.

GEC's pre-tax profits rose by
23% to £384 million, while sales
increased to £4.2 billion, a rise of
21% compared with the previous

ye«* ■ .

The most prodigious rise is seen
in GEC's massive cash balance
which at year-end stood at over £1
billion, a rise of £375 million.

While speculation will naturally
increase tnat GEC will be on the
acquisition traii { the company has
not been too scuve on this front in
the UK. Most of its takeover activ-
ity has been in the US — and has
not been particularly successful.

Nevertheless, the company’s
performance last year was enough
make it the highest valued com-
pany on the London Stock Ex-
change after the result was an-
nounced, overtaking BP.

On a current cost basis, allowing
for inflation pre-tax profits rose by
30% to £468 million, from £360
million a year ago.

A detailed breakdown of the re-
sult shows that sales of electronics
and telecommunications equip-
ment jumped 15% to £1.4 million.
Profits from this division leapt
31% to £210 million. But sales of
computers are said to be below
expectations.

More impressive was the com-
pany's overseas performance,
where Bales rose by a massive 67%'
to £1.3 billion. Overseas earnings
are in second place in GEC’s earn-
ings table, behind electronics and
telecommunications.

As to who, if anyone, GEC
would bid for, there is much
speculation, but little hard fact.
GEC’s chairman, Lord Weinstock,
has indicated a willingness to get
involved in West Germany with
the troubled AEG Telefunken,
with talk of a 40% stake in a new
technical venture. However, the
AEG wdrkforce is objecting,

by Howard Kartell
SPERRY UNIVAC is teaming up
with Amdahl in California in a bid
ihai could be worth up to $300
million. The bid, expected to be
announced by the government in
September, is for the replacement
of the entire US Air Traffic
Onuol (ATC) Enroute System.

This system consists of 22 instal-
lations, each with an IBM 360/65
1 riplex configuration.

I he ageing system is used to
control aircraft en route between
nu)or airports or cities, and is

separate from the air traffic
controllers at each major airport.

CW SHARES TABLE

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76 I ' + 1

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NEB failures II

coins call

milk taxpayer box market

Jk~ W VENTURE capitalists with cau-

• tious eyes for would-be recipients

^ j-fc j-b j of their cash can derive reassur-

I 1T1 PJk iifj ■ ■ ■ ancc from the outstanding success

B CIGLCIU X of Chapman Cash Processing. Less

than a year ago Computer weekly

VENTURE capitalists with cau-
tious eyes for would-be recipients
of their cash can derive reassur-
ance from the outstanding success
of Chapman Cash Processing. Less

WEINSTOCK . . . Willing to gel
involved with AEG Telefunken.

which has led the company's direc-
tors to seek aid from the West Ger-
man government.

On the British front, GEC is
continually linked with Ferranti.
Ferranti had an excellent year In
1981, and its shares are now mar-
ketable after a two-year delay. But
a bid for Ferranti looks extremely
remote for several reasons:

GEC's corporate unage is un-
likely to sit well at Ferranti, whose
directors would almost certainly
resist such a bid. And there might
be objections from the Office of
Fair Trading on monopoly
grounds. Finally, following a
successful year, Ferranti's valua-
tion is riding high.

FINANCING the future is a
perilous task. The National Enter-
prise Board has learned that polit-
ics - the art of pleasing people in
the future, and business - the an
of pleasing them now, make an
uneasy mix.

Last week the NEB announced
losses for the year ended De-
cember 3 1 of £56.24 million.

For the taxpayer the balance
sheet is grim. The revival of the
“white heat of technology" theory
cost us all a straight £40 million
plus a few odds and bobs. That
was the cost of the ill-fated
"Greeks”, Insac and Nexos.

Nexos Office Systems cost £34
million to dispose of. Insac Group
cost £6.86 millionio diposc of.

On the plus side Case brought in
£1.22 million and various other
publicly supported companies

culled another few hundred thou-
sand.

And DRI, the NEB-backed
peripherals company, is now trad-

of Chapman Cash Processing, cess
than a year ago Computer weekly
reported that the fledgling firm
had received £250,000 from Ven-

mgin profit.

For the future Systime, an asso-
ciated company, is well on stream
with its cash flow and profit as well
as its EEC-supported £30 million
project for manufacturing plant
and headquarters. Inmos, as re-
ported on other pages, will require
another £5 to £10 million to bring
its 64K RAM into full production.

To lose £56.24 million is no or-
dinary task. But the majority of it
was dumped on two companies -
both of them good ideas and both
of them badly executed.

One was Insac - born of ihe
days when we believed that the

Sperry, Amdahl in US
air traffic control tie-up

Sperry is teaming up with Am-
dahl because the bid requires 360
compatible computers. The Gen-
eral Services Administration, the
procurement arm of the US gov-
ernment, recognises Amdahl as an
approved vendor. But Amdald
does not have extensive experience
in responding to tenders requiring
extensive software modification,
according to Sperry Univac.

Amdahl will in effect be a sub-
contractor with Sperry providing
software support.

IV- " \l!v ar « L - vff.'SYjy

J"i M..—

\ § j 11 H 1 "1 •

I f, bj K I i

m

I 1 ' 1 S !

I mm

i.?!

£ fo&viv

EtSSSBJ

The London Micro Centre of EMG, foutuler and 15% equity holder in the
national network.

BR Pension Fund puts
£V4m in micro network

had only one UK product, and was
talking about selling the re-
mainder, European in origin, to
the Europeans.

The second was Nexos - born
of the idea that the office revolu-
tion was upon us and that die UK
had - as it does — most of the
best skills for dealing with the
technology.

Bui the revolution will occur
only when the mass of people
change their habits of work. The
result in Micawbcrish terms is too
much money lost too soon.

The project was sold off for a
loss of over £6 million. But the
BTG still has an interest in it suc-
cess - for Logica, the systems
house which developed parr of the
software, is partiy owned by the
public body and should do well.

ture Founders Capital to gel off
the ground.

Last week British Telecom inau-
gurated with considerable pride
and fanfare a coinbox management
system called All Change, based on
complex and innovative hardware
and software developed by CCP in
less than six months.

“British Telecom needed the
software developed in the live
months leading up to April 1, a
deadline which was noi movea-
ble/' said founder and managing
director Colin Chapman.

The All Change system closely
monitors London's 11,000 public
telephone kiosks to “substantially
reduce” the number out of order
because of overfull coinboxes —
about 400 a day until now.

Another aim is to speed up the
reporting of jammed, dirty or van-
dalised equipment .

Tile heart of the system supplied
by CCP is a dual processor
minicomputer configuration at
BT's coin counting centre in West
London. Thu two Computer Auto-
mation LSI. 4-30 machines host
applications software written
largely in Fortran IV and running
under Computer Automation's
RTX real time executive.

One machine collects data on-
line from the 12 coin counting sta-
tions installed at the centre. It
maintains a kiosk status database
and works out when each box
should be emptied based on the
last six empyting intervals. The
other machine transmits kiosk sta-
tus information to terminals at (2
local BT offices in the London
area.

DEC PRINTERS

by Kevan Pearson
A SMALL British microcomputer
company and management consul-
tancy has pulled oil a major coup
in attracting investment from the
UK’s normally conservative pen-

Bntisii Raii Pension Fund once
known for its purchases of fine an,
has- taken the plunge and put a
£250,000 stake in a new venture to
set up a national microcomputer
network in the UK. #

The venture is being set up by
the Executive Management Group
which already runs several
microcomputer centres, including
one in London. The pension
fimd’8 stake represents 15% of me
equity of the new venture, EMG

National Micro Centres. The re-
mainder of the shares are owned
by EMG.

Malcolm McPherson, one of the
founders of EMG and its managing
director, attributes EMG’^ r ,'hVest-
mcnf to ; a very Convincing uve-
ycar plan” and to the backgrounds
of die people at EMG, who moved
into microcomputer retailing from
accountancy and business consul-
tancy. .

He said the company aimed to
use the money to finance an ambi-
tious expansion plan to spread its

franchise deal.

n£« ra Tkurtd
and Loon have

and Latin have bttn adiutud tuhtn n ternary,
ted Sinuitiu Market or under Rule !63(2Xfl).

LA34 KEYBOARD PRINTER £625
LA34 PRINTER ONLY £585
LA120 KEYBOARD PRINTER £1295
LAI 20 PRINTER ONLY £1250

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

Prejudice
against colour
in computing

W/ r r__. . .

A FEW weeks ago I was fortunate to be comparatively little interest
2M8P « ten »«WW»n of in making use of colour as a di-

“ e , simulation system mension of systems design for DP

produced by BL Systems. A systems
prominent feature is its use of The complexity of programming
moving colour graphics to repre- is not an excuse and "field for-
sent the formation of queues and matted” screens can make use of
°[ transactions through attribute bytes to set colours in a
typical systems under study, such similar way to making a field
as a supermarket or production protected or double brilliance, for
Lncjor example. example.

^ t > ues,ion js cv « more in-
simulation teresting when the widespread use
SS^JShS^ SST USC u? f of colour in clerical systems is con-
0 LP ph dc ,. H poss ! bIe ^red- We all know multi-part
n ? r '? rsed m forms where rhe pink copy goes to

fmerarf whh finance > lhc white t0 sales and so

interact with the model directly on. The colour is such a nwfiil

qU " d T-, fl spect of theinjfomia^on conveyed
r demonstration reminded that it is surprising not to find it
me of a fundamental quesuon that playing a similar part when these
has interested me for some time: systems are computerised.

vnticTn^f ° f ™ nochr ° me A certain amount of this may be
VDUs in data processing appUca- attributed to technology "lag",

1 ri L„ r though 1 cannot help feeling that

mention an ,mp °f 1fln! dl ' foe reason may be more fonda-

mension in our perception and mental

T^.i^ rnin ^ lbal - h * S CUrioUS PE[ha P* thc way is used
tcumeculate why it is not more in a clerical system is less effective

'h d P™ cessin K ap * in the information it conveys than

Tlstsfrs: * ««• ^

i --- ar

plications such as online transac-
tion processing. Granted the
original reason was one of available
technology and costs, but now that
colour graphics are a standard fea-
ture of many cheap micros, this is
now no longer thc dominant fac-
tor.

ii is some time now since IBM
nnnuunced colour VDUs, and
other screen manufacturers also
have colour available on (heir char-
acter VDUs, yet there still seems

downtime

What upset
the other
princess

SEVERAL explanations have been
offered for Princess Anne’s expres-
sion of ignorance and indifference
SjSH 1 fo* birth of our future King
william V (barring revolution or
cataclysm). One is that Anne can-
not forgive Charles for looking like
Big Ears rather than a horse.
mmum fig

Anne was actually doing whi^thi
I U n f n b H *« ht work of her Jabot? in

7 looking round the In
K n chjp r facl °ry m Colorado, con- ,
erring a formal blessing, u n veiling ,

* bron « P'"qM. and havi^ SI

. V WAUB UU1 ten-

sions available on standard VDUs
such as Hashing fields or audible
alarms, so there is no real need for
colour when these systems are
translated on to VDUs.

The use of colour in multi-part
forms certainly docs not usually
contribute extra information to
that printed or written on the form
itself, but serves to assist the re-
trieval and distribution of the
documents and also acts as a cleri-

N orman Retell is a lecturer with
the business systems analysis team
at City University, London. He
is a consultant with IBM and
sezvral other companies.

cal control.

I doubt that there is much preju-
dice against colour on the pari of
the designers and programmers of
online systems - as a group they
constitute the heaviest users of
coloured fluorescent pens that I
know! Nor is the use of colour for
text information on screens all that
novel. Many of the games available
on the domestic micros previously
referred to make use of it, as do
Prestel and other related systems.

To summarise: Are colour
VDUs providing facilities that DP
systems do not need and, by impli-
cation, clerical systems only use
because of their inherent limi-
tations or is the added dimension
of colour something that we are
not really exploiting m DP systems
yet?

I would be interested in the
views of readers via the CW corre-
spondence columns — especially
those using colour VDUs for on-
line transaction processing applica-
tions.

Norman Revel l

mm

HUMAN TOUCH

Getting to
know g
your data

LEAVING aside all the frills, im- p — Jf

proyements and variations there l 1 * \f.

are just two basic ways in which \ , / <£i '

data can be represented to a com- \\\l ( f ») ] /

puter. When the data reaches a V ‘9 / f \ Tyfly

E rogram, tliat program has to 2&l I if MgV

now what the data is in the sense JS /§££

of what processing is to be applied. fflH fljglijS

The program may know what

the data is either implicitly or ex- JemllmM

plicitly. ' I II I

U the identity of the data is to be Cliff Dillowav is an independent

* en i? 113 13 consultant specialising in accounting
much the same as saying that you software, taxation and pavrall
have to know what the data is be-
fore you start. The data is iden- p„ , „
tified by its position. That position nunctad . or j? a

may be characters 10-15 on line Sn rhS 1

four of a particular screen, or fol- S£ 3 aS ,mpllclt to

lowing the sixth comma entered in

a line of job control instructions, °fi dlc 18 10 ^

Do not be confused by the fact that C??’™ dlei ?, son }^ entI 7

a description of the data appears lden “ fies . the

an the screen immediately before y fl ® u ° ws - A typical

positions 10-15 on line four. ® ntry i! SIZE ~ followed by the

The program will nor look at I®* r V 1 * P 10 ® 1 ? 111 knows by this
that description in order to know % f?® 1116 for dlc

what data has been entered. The da ^, } l ar .k. that follows,
description is a constant provided *S e . u ? pllclt ^ e! J lod ° f ^entify-
by the program and in the very dflta ** usually found when the
best systems can be altered by the “ me ! et of data ilems musl be
user so that he can follow his own 2Si!i . repea , tedl y/ The f «pUcit
preferred descriptions of the data. S r SCfu wh “ , a f f w ,tems

The knowledge of what a parti- Zl d . from a P® 881 ^ ,ar « e ««

cular item of data is, is implied by h8VC 10 be entered al ^ choice of
its position relative to other data a user ’

(as in a list) or relative to some CU Iff DillowaV

10 YEARS AGO

THE . r™ rejee-

Uon of any idea of a takeover of 1CL by US computer flimaTere the
mam points in a statement in the Commons b7 ^IndSStriS De!
velopment Minister Christopher Chataway. Financial support fell

° f c? e “° " ,iUion ■ y™ "“^endeTby !h«
Select Committee on Science and Technology.

FOCUS

Wanted-,

guide to

good buys ■

neeaoi care, attention udfc‘ 1 ;

advice But while die 3'^
adv.ee hfl S increased,^;;-,
has fallen to a point *0/1; .

nearly invisible.

Although users comamfe.f!"
theirfirst small comp2S[ : ''

may^weUinformeJoS

52 E*“-

Cliff Dillozvay

Princess Anne at the Colorado chip factory.

with Inmos employees in the cafe-
That, reader, is how she spent a

day while the telegram of con-
gratulauon to her sister-in-law re-
mained unwritten.

A ^ penta mained unwritten.

cuckoo in the technoloeical

SB Sj-. ;k£ ™ " neSt

Buxhy bird" ils airitude^n! 8nd . the MP

, ,, utru man a
Buzhy bird m us attitude to-
wards competition, said a Conser-

JJJJ 11 * *. n l,| e Commons. Like
the cuckoo it was "seeking to eject
Hcdglings from what it chooses to
regard as its own exclusive nesi"
Bniish Telecom has lost its nio-

fron«i a Bn ® the MP

3 s£ 5««=

.ijf S0 . mc Opposition MP been
,^ ntly ? harp> hc coid a have
used the cuckoo analogy to deliver
a timely riposte. The cuckoo lays

her egga m nests of other hirds to

JfJE-T? 1 - But Br *t*sh Tdeoom
" hflS deprived of its monoS,
“ ,ts ®8gs confiscatedwS
wared by other birds against its

, i nd at /east a cuckoo hatches

bW^itwS n ° m " lterwha '

__ iwciauwann.

* e ^siting executives

moves ns marketing centre into a hi! , ro P can operation, which .

country house with a half-acre of ha ? ta ^ n up rural residence. news^? iSSE!* 08 ^ thal

Icrtije sod, one has to ask if straw- dlg my own «me nor ft C ?^ lry e , relreat

berries are In be grown as a side- ve j v ’ -nf- ! ICd ’ som r ewhat evasi- f rom Californil thC U1 ^ office * but
hoc. Accordingly I popped this J he rcal reason for thc move ‘‘Thfu !? 8,

question to Roger ScwFch/ ma“ bathn^m “ hBf } d y. 1 bedroom with f 0r T | Ch ° S - n parUy

beme mana ger of Abfc Compo- e b ^S s “ «» vi.idog US prin, q Jy"fo“ h^^SSS*. US
— executive.

, A licence
to spend?

"THE issuing of licences by the
Swansea computer centre costs
two and a hall times as much per
vehicle on the road as did the
manual system it replaced - and
that figure takes full account of
inflation.” So says Peter Davison
who has helped compile a report
urging that the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Centre’s computer be
scrapped.

| However, it seems as if the gov-
ernment needs no such urging. If

r MU I . WTftlWlWaHWMff r&

Snil? A he proces s of returning

?os,OfkecS" Ual ° P ' raliC ’ ,,by

This will come as a relief to

Sui e n. Wb ° havc suff ered from
UVLC s incompetences.

But let us remind ourselves that
the computer is as often a scape-
goat as a villain in government de-
partments.

This spor ting
life

MV wannest congratulations to
the many Compurastars who took
Pan m another round of fun and
freak activity m the latest event
sponsored by Computer Weekly.

ChHH° d f eSty precIud «i athletic
Ghad from demonstrating his
Prowess at the dribble, but few
present are ever likely to forget
■d a f£ r lulUn B the field to sleep

rh 5 Zi 00 ra u lres » he ®Pning like a
cheetah to bury his £rey in I
graveyard of history.

One spectator likened the sprint 1
5™V° a Sun reporter making a 1

^L tm E1 v,0 ° ” ■ j

Those who have observed such n t
phenomenon will know that the f
comparison is especially apt.

( ECOLOClCAlL'i
SOUbfD
\U)WENERQ't
COMPUTER

yam i 4.^

Counting on
ihe^bacus "

NEW technology meets old as
China begins counting its vast
population. Speculation now has it
at 1,000 million.

The abacus used for countless
Chinese population surveys, will
stand alongside computers for the
counting.

A staggering six million census
officers will take part in the hope
of avoiding what Chairman Mao
Tse-tung, man-made God, once
described as ghosi people.

All their own

work

WHERE would you go to find out
Irow many micros are installed in
this country?

. With the Financial Times’ great
interest in things computational
you d perhaps have thought that
its Information Service might be a
good place to start,

But when a large micro dealer
turned to the Information Service
to compare findings from its own
researches with other available in-
formation, all . the FT service
turned up 'was one Press release —
from the company itself.

Chad

ne

matters - positive
mendafions are about nitintli
a fully satisfied user. “ l-
a- It is not unknown for D?p^
to fesaionals to be asked - J* J!
»■ over drinks at the local sqiffi j V

^ ®f during the course « i kj f
ty dinner with friends - fbrn»l'

« the-spot system recommala, h

al Giving such instant adrift s i 1 ;
te from easy unless the sessnai' ’•*
is resemble a formal feasibtafcj 1
le Within the last two wwh,F.. '
cus has been asked to reosce!, -
u during a rare sunbathing aa: 1
e on Deal beach, a suitable nab •
e which would serve the netdidi :
it hotel reservation system, kit
s an equally unfa miliar vuue - £

it House of Commons Terns ■

f which micro would best Kit
MP's 12-year-old son. In bn»s
. rimes, recommendation! wen v:

cited for an agricultural bum
and a private investment dub.):
doubt auch inquiries are lepw.-
tarive of general levels of mw
of the non-DP specialist.

All this uncertainty «#•
e that the computer commuim.r.

. are failing to produce the
1 Considering the streams « L:
i articles published in an inaur;
number of journals on be*
choose and select a comf.:
system, the prevailing unceitu'-
is rather odd.

Advice ranges from
specialist micro 'publications t:
professional magazines sen.*,
office and company mauate.;
to a comprehensive range of b“
and guides on the subject.

However, it does not tale ‘5
to realise that all these bwb <-■
articles lack one vital factor - c-
,aetil&l product reconunenit:

" The published works are siKej •
such evaluation matters is 5 -
compurcrs do and how they ^
and how they will change ik^
of the office, home and fact*
the future.

While the books presents*;
blc dara on recruiunent, tfli-
and managing computer s}^
they are notably short on hirJ*-

**■ --last recommendations, to &-'■

cas'ek, the publishers’ defers - '
that of timescales. Giving jkp-' |
fishing thumbs-up to an Apf * J ■
Pet, lor example, could « ?+ *
date by the time the arcclr >• .
peared. ..

Ip any case, the comput« ^; ;
unlike its motoring "

equipment colleagues, b t®**;
to propose best or «**.*?'
Comparisons are usually
machine ranges ratter j

peeing equipment. That * # ■

micro has a tendency to o«JM' jjr
left switched on for « WJ s;
period of rime, is subject to * ,V-

interference nom f

within 1 ,000 feet or is notcosF
ble with any UK technology ^
dard is a matter for user
The challenge of compu^J
dudes a conBiderable an»uDt «' f '
it and find out yourself, s -
Meanwhile, manj s^gg
menta only serve to
or bafflement to potential
The specialist rmCro ad™®.
assume their readers J*
electronics degree wnifo.jr ^

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, ]982

eneration IBM three-day briefing

Quadrant House, Thc Quadranr, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS
Thursday, July 8, 1982

How to react to
the Japanese

THE biggest shakeout the computer industry has yet seen is
coming as a direct result of Japanese proposals for a Fifth
generation computer project. This week in London the
debate on the project will reach a new high in intensity as
UK software house SPL International hosts a three-day
conference which was set up in the shadow of the Japanese
challenge (see story page 3)

The effect Japanese proposals have had on the computer
industry's thinkers is well summarised by Stanford Univer-
sity’s Edward Feigenbaum, one of the speakers at the con-
ference: “The system outlined is discontinuous with tradi-
tional thinking but completely continuous with the vision of
computer scientists over the years for a truly intelligent
system. The project aims to build the artificial intelligence
machine that we have all been waiting for”.

This comment conveys the enthusiasm felt by many. It
also makes the point that thc fifth generation produced by
the Japanese is simply a restatement of objectives pursued
by many Western scientists for many years.

That point is important, and it needs to be stressed that
the fifth generation is just a concept, not a reality. Japan’s
Ministry of International Trade and Industry has skilfully
given an impression of something concrete by laying down a
detailed timescale, and has ensured that the West takes
notice by inviting us to collaborate in the development.

□ □ □ □

But when ail is said and done, MITI has not done or even
said anything new. A sober and accurate assessment of thc
report’s significance is provided by another speaker, New-
castle University’s Phil Trcleaven: “Japan has pinpointed
the front nuuiers in special areas of research”.

The widely held belief that Japan will inevitably in time
dominate the computer market as it has in the past come to
dominate other industries, such as motor-cycles and radios,

K ^questionable. For one thing, it is doubtful whether
the "vision of computer scientists over the years” can be
translated into reality simply by the formulation of a plan,
even over a 10-year timescale.

It is worth reminding ourselves that the Japanese have
contributed precisely nothing to the architecture of the
fourth generation. The mainframes produced by their com-
puter companies are carbon copies of American systems. All
they have done is to apply their undoubted engineering
skills to the task of producing more cost-effective imple-
mentations of Western ideas and concepts.

□ □ □ □

If Japan is merely to retain its present position in the
computer industry (as opposed to the comDppmts busi-
r~J2» situation cannot be aUowed 'to conrinuc. *\-
NEC s Michiyuki Venohara puts it: “We can no longer rely
on the US and Europe to perform the advanced research
which we will need in the future”.

That is the real motivation behind the production of
M k ^ generation report. In order to avoid losing out
when the West eventually produces its fifth generation (and
. j^paoese are well aware that all the concepts contained
““W r ®P®tt are currently being worked on in Western
aooratones), MITI has made a pre-emptive strike by for-
mulating its own view and, most significantly, inviting the

bcleft behind ^ ^ TlWt Way they 0811 be 8urc they won>t

• n context that any response to the Japanese

l Uv e should be formulated. The British government
wmo S€0Slb L taken a cau tious view: after doing nothing for
e months, it set up a study group in April, to. examine

toe scope for collaborative research projects;

tn .should adopt a similar stance. There is no need

of To« pamC j ® toto action to offset the imminent disaster
it’s J panese . dom toation.of the computer industry, because
c n „ ° l to happen. We should certainly consider
examr.!™?™ T ben we ran see something in it for us (as for
vw'wf C . ,7 bas done )* but we should never forget that
wc ve actually got quite a lot to offer theqi! . : . .

1 984 and all that . NtBMS

® xam .P^ of foe strange tilings people say about
oSerate^l 8 3 f nt m by ,J • B * Lupiqn of Derby , who win/ E5,
ha?lia ilmS? 8 “P en,lsed by one man, thp complete, system :

I FOUND your feature on Office
Automation contained more sound
common sense than I have read on
the subject for many months. In
particular Philip Conford is correct
in his assessment of Information
Technology Year.

What so many organisations, in-
cluding the government really
need is the skill to identify unam-
biguously market requirements,
whether commercial profit or
social gain, the clarity of thought
to select from the vast amount of
information already held, thc will-
ingness to make, and stick to, deci-
sions which may be unpopular,
and the honesty to review critically
at predetermined points the
effectiveness of their decision-
making ability.

My personal view is that for the

good of die next generation our
national priority should be to re-
evaluate work distribution be-
tween the haves and have-nots.

Our present educational system

- underwritten of course by the
taxpayers, private and corporate

- should not be influenced too
greatly by the prophets of "in-
formation revolution”. As a coun-
try we cannot afford to dissipate
our efforts on techniques which at
best merely pass on social costs to
those sectors of the economy less
and less able to support them.

It is no argument nowadays to
say “But we haven’t made em-
ployees redundant," what we need
is reward for the creation of new
jobs for the next generation.

D. MORRIS

Shenfield, Essex.

User-computer dialogue

THE article by Laurie Cocking
(CW, June 24) on ergonomics in
office equipment design was very
welcome, and those of us who are
ergonomics specialists would hope
that equipment manufacturers and
buyers will take more account of
these issues in thc future.
However, your readers should be
aware that ergonomics has many
other areas of application in the
relationship between users and
computer systems, in addition to
those of work space and general
VDU design.

There are many other aspects of
user-computer dialogue which
must be approached from the ergo-
nomics point of view, including
thc nature of the information
transacted between them, the for-
matting of information on VDUs,
the variety of input devices which
may be preferable to the keyboard
for some tasks, and user support
facilities.

The demands on the user
created by word processing and

Meeting sick
pay rules

AS one of the micro software com-
panies referred to in the Software
File payroll discussion referred to
by Cliff Dillowav (CW, lune 3),
we agree wholeheartedly.

A good guideline to a supplier’s
capability in meeting the forth-
coming sick pay regulations,
however, will be provided by the
ousting facilities of its payroll
system. If you find a system is not
capable of easy user-adjustment
for statutory changes in tax and
NI, simply avoid it and use it as a
clue to mat supplier’s overall soft-
ware capability.

will require software autKorsEiiTSl
a high order and will certainly
mark out the men from the

( “ W)b0V1 - DAVIDJARMAN
Managing director
Jarman Systems,

St Albans.

message processing systems need
careful ergonomics analysis, parti-
cularly in the user’s understanding
and interpretation of the facilities
provided by the system.

Similar approaches are being
taken to thc task of programming
itself, to increase the efficiency and
satisfaitiun with which pro-
grammers work.

In these and several other areas,
there arc many examples of the
need -for careful analysis and de-
sign from the user’s point of view.
The wide range of interesting and
potential applications of ergonom-
ics ideas can be seen in the
proceedings of conferences such as
Human Factors in Computer
Systems in the US in March this
year, and in the International Con-
ference on Man-Machine Systems
in Manchester this month.

DAVID WHITFIELD
Head of Ergonomics
Development Unit.
University of Aston,

Birmingham.

Cash for

Xiiieiwwe Fife

t y Do n

DP ftlWHAL. ' / V

AN article (CW, June 10] alleges
that IBM recently pre-announced
a small business computer to "a
select group of data processing
managers in the United States who
arc large scale users” of IBM’s
System 34.

Had you taken the time to check
the facts with us prior to pub-
fisliing the story, you would nave
found out the following:

1. Our practice remains one of
not commenting or speculating on
future product announcements;

2. We have no record of a meet-
ing such as you describe. A three-

day briefing for data services com-
panies its Florida during the first
week of June included a general
session on IBM's small systems
directions and an elective session,
on System 34 and System 38. At
no time, however, were specific
future products described.

Will you please correct thc
misleading impression that vour
highly speculative article may have
given ybur readers by publishing
this letter as soon as possible?

MD STOTT
External Communications
Manager

IBM UK

Why help these regimes?

1 AM becoming increasingly con-
cerned at the activities of the re-
cently formed “UK Council for
Computing Development” whose
aims include advising Third-
World countries on the implcmen-
tion of sophisticated computing
and data processing techniques.
They are also advertising and
handling the recruitment of com-
puting experts and consultants for
projects in those countries. Many
of these projects apparently are for
analysing national census data for
"various government depart-
ments".

What concerns me in particular
is that many of these countries to
which thc Council is sending advi-
sors have an appalling record for
the lack of human rights, For
example, a recent request for help
came from Turkey which is at pre-
sent well known to be steadily
killing, torturing and imprisoning
ordinary people opposing the rul-

ing junta. And one recently adver-
tised request for help has come
from Libya, and the reputation of
that country’s leader is worldwide.

In the UK we are well aware of
the issues concerning the “privacy
and misuse of data” held in vast
computer databanks and thc con-
sequences of this data being wrong
or used for unpleasant reasons.
However thanks to our (approxi-
mately) democratic government at
least we still retain most of our
human rights if such data is mis-
used. But what of the Third-
World countries where human
rights are not enjoyed by anyone,
especially those opposed to the po-
litics of tneir government?

That is why I am concerned.
Should we be helping those
countries to further rncir aims of
suppressing even further human
rights?

NAME AND ADDRESS
WITHHELD BY REQUEST

Operating system omission

courses

YOU reported (CW June 17)
about the way in which computer

S tments in universities and
chics were being particularly
hit by public spending cuts.
Within the polytechnics subjects
are classified into laboratory and
non-laboratory for purposes of re-
source allocation.

Laboratory subjects are given
more money for equipment and for
staffing. Traditionally computing
has been classed with the other
sciences but this has now been
changed, and it has been grouped
with mathematic^. »•* J •*

Apparently the computer and
microprocessor laboratories in
which my students work are a fig-
ment of my imagination!

MrsL. P. ANTHLL

Polytechnic of the South Bank, .•
London SE1.

I MUST bring to your attention a
serious omission (CW, June 10)
in your article, A Guide to DEC
Operating Systems. Under the sec-
tion Independent Operating
Systems, there is no mention of
the most important and best of
such systems, Unix (+) or its deri-
vatives.

1 know from other articles in

your journal that you are aware of
the existence of Unix (+) therefore
why not include it for Unix (+) is
probably used far more than the
rest of tne independently supplied
systems

IAN R. PERRY
Laboratoirea d’Etudea et de Re-
cherche® Synthelabo, Paris.

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COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

COMPUTER WEEKLY* July 8, 1982

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be run on larger amounts of data and at far
greater speed.

It hastwo 5%" mini floppy disk units with
a capacity of 320k bytes each that are integral
to the system.

(These can be further extended with the
addition of a hard disk.)

And it has a minimum internal capacity
of 128K bytes.

The result is an extremely powerful
computer with interfacing capabilities that
allow it to communicate with a wide range of
peripherals.

That's proof that it's brainy, but it's also
beautiful.

' The visual brilliance and clarity of the
VDU can be controlled as its position can be
swivelled and tilted to suit the operator.

And as well as handling up to two thou-
sand characters, the screen can produce a
variety of complex, high resolution graphics.

Naturally, lines, circles, ellipses, oar charts
and pie charts are a cinch.

But the screen can actually split itself
into sixteen independent windows. It's all clever
stuff but its language is simple.

It uses Microsoft 9 Basic which has been
developed to a new level of professionalism.
In fact, the advanced PCOS operating system
combined with its programming language
make the M20 easier to use than a typewriter.

But if you do manage to get lost there's a
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The M20also has the reassuring ability to
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PROGRAMMERS PAGE

As Ansi ditti^ai^lie Cobol
user’s voice may go unheard

firm. \

CONFUSION surrounds the
proposals for a new Cobol standard

laid down last autumn by Ansi, the
American National Standards
Institute. Ansi is hesitating over
public criticisms of the standard
received early this year, with the
result that Ansi’s own proposals
may never crystallise into a new
standard,

Instead, some leading Cobol
pundits suggest, the US Federal
government may lay down a new
Cobol standard which contains
most of Ansi’s proposals unaf-
fected by the public user’s
opinions.

This would be an unthinkable
snub to Ansi, which has long been
considered the definitive authority
on the two grandads of the compu-
ter language world: Cobol and
Fortran. The current document on
international standards pertaining
to Cobol simply makes a one-page
reference to the Ansi standard.

The reason for the confusion
over the new standards is that Ansi
is taking a very long time making

up its mind about the recom-
mendations of its technical com-
mittee X3J4 on a revised Cobol
standard, X 3J4 spent four years up
until last autumn 1981 working on
' the new standard. A draft proposal
was then made public lor com-
ments to be subnutted.

The comment period closed in
mid-February 1982, and since
then 2,000 letters concerning the
proposals have reached Ansi.
According to Philip Brown, who is
the National Computing Centre’s
representative on X3J4, these pub-
lic comments mostly came into two
categories: short letters com-
plaining that the new standard is
incompatible with the old; and
longer letters also complaining that
the new standard is incompatible
with the old.

The complaints are founded on
fears that existing Cobol programs
will have to be rewritten where the
new standard is implemented.
Brown claims these fears are only
partly justified. In practice, he
says, old compilers continue to be

supported for several years after
the new standard first arrives.

Look at the 1968 Ansi standard,
he says, which is still around.

On this basis, according to
Brown, users have less to fear than
they think. But Brown concedes
that some of the complaints,
mainly concerning minor changes
to the language to dispel what
might be called bugs in its logic,
are legitimate.

In any case, Ansi is taking die
complaints seriously, and Brown
reports that divisions still exist
within the review body about some
of them. As a result, it will be
several months more until a final
decision is reached.

Brown is unsure of the final
outcome. “The beat guess I’ve
heard is that there will be another
draft standard,” he tells me,

Brown fears there may not be
sufficient agreement either to de-
cided on a new proposed standard ,
or even to reaffirm the old one.

The suggestion is that if Ansi
cannot come to a decision, some-

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one else will have to. It could be
the US government, or even in our
case some UK body as a result of a
new information technology initia-
tive from the government.

It is ironical that because of An-
si’s willingness to consider various
shades of opinion, the user may end
up having the original proposed
standard inflicted upon him.

But it is also ironical that while
so many complaints about the
draft proposed last autumn by
Ansi concerned compatibility, one
intention of the proposals was to
reduce the number of possible (ro-
bots around.

At present there are 100,000
possible variations of standard Co-
bol. A reduction would be
achieved by allowing only three
subsets of Cobol: Minimum, In-
termediate, and High, or standard
Cobol.

One recommended change that I
for one can see causing problems
when large existing commercial
, Cobol programs are carried onto
the new standard concerns file up-

"/ give up - what is it, then?”
dating.

The change concerns the timing
of the decision of which record is
to be read next during a file up-
date. Normally the change will
make no difference. But suppose
that while updating an indexed se-
quential file, the program writes a
record with a sdrt key just a little
greater than the one just read.

Under all existing standards, the

next record to be read would h
the one sequentially foUmiub
one last read. With the new ok
dard, it would be the oot jw
written, if its key is lower this b
one due to be read next, but hj£e
than the one last read.
Confusing, is it not? Hardly u
prising, then, that there havelm
reservations about the neaitu
dard.

Drawing systems still
cost more than artists

ARTISTS are not the easiest users
to pleaBe, as two makers of televi-
sion graphics machines have disco-
vered in the past two years. One of
the companies, Ampex, has with-
drawn its telegraphies system,
Ava, because at £100,000 it was
too expensive either to sell as a
computer graphics terminal, or to
catch on with television studios.

An Ampex spokesman conceded
that total sales of less than ten had
been disappointing, and were the
reason for Ava’a withdrawal from
the market early this year.

The other company is Logics,
whose graphics machine^ called

....

Mimm* k

ANDREW LOVE, of Logi-
ca . . i Artists hard users to please.

Flair, , is still allv* At £40,000,

however, iris hardly a snip, and
only six have been sold.

According, to Andrew Love, a
member of the development team,

to Andrew Love, a

*;.< •

Flair is noun end in itself, but has
spawned other. useful de-
velopments; For example, Logics
has an imagfe processing system
which grew out of Flair.

Love la an^example of a fourth
generation pf.. programmers who
"fegard. thdr taSK as being defined ,
by the needa and idiosyncrasies of
the final User of the system! I was
hnpressed by the articulacy with
Which Love and' his colleagues at .
Logica explained their de-
velopment problems, : and ref-
reshed 1 that, they; uhlifce :some '
other progrtmmers. I have met, do.
nor regard tqe end user bb an awk- •
ward Granny beyond hope df un- •
detis tending.', . s . w : >.

. .Accordingly L^vb. Ampex bad •
hoped to put .ddelpf itB AYaa to
alMost'every ^^yUidh’studjo.' But;
IfOgtea- had • no.XUplh eXJ^tatipns; : .

V •’ y ; -

' ' u ,f« i! . -iff. i ; ; ' ,0-

he said, and is happy with ■
number of sales that had proiei
unacceptable to Ampex. Hold
Logica s sales have gone to dtrp
studios rather than to lekvitka
. studios.

Flair consists of a tablet with a
central rectangle representing f.e
TV screen. The artist wortatj
moving a pen with a stylus »:•
tached, ana a cursor confirms u
position on the real TV omhlm
placed somewhere ih front of nun.

Only when he touches the uw
screen does the drawing begin.

The artist uses just one pent)
draw on the tablet, but diffotJ
colours and brush thicknesses r
simulated by pressing burtons c
- . the part of the-tablef ouia* £

central screen. Colours can k
mixed by-turning on *
switch. Up to 256 colours onk
usetf, and are presented J
■■'selection at the bottom cl w

screen. .. , .

Artists who pride them«heia
their ability to draw
will be disappointed U) fig
Flair has this facility available oi
function, as well bs cirda »

SHKSSsfcitfS ,

the monitor. . t

"The main problem
user interaction, to m*®

artist-friendly," sayB Love. .

There is little doubt ^^ ..
would have a big rnarkrt
were cheaper. It would t*j**J; •
commercial ardsu and t*™* ^
signers to dabble :

colours and shapes MokP“ ot
real brush to canvas. '

But many of these
in small design IJJJJ} j* :, r
barely turn over Jheooirwjg; ?
Flair in a year. As it.ijjJ
art colleges may be fif* ».
dates for Flair., with • hrg® .j t: ;
monitor, it could prow ■ , jv
teaching tool. .£

PUZZL ER & I

, TR VJTH I : ■

• * ■ i m

.'i»i • i <i

• M K . . I . 1 . .

t < 'III

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

op spot

New systems are often an op’s nightmare. But this can
he avoided with careful management, says Brian Pugh

All changes should be
controlled, not feared

CHANGES at data processing
installations that are intended for
the good of everybody have a nasty
habit of becoming a source of an-
guish for operations and de-
velopment ana a bone of conten-
tion for the user. Instead of being
the raison d’etre of the department
they can become its downfall.

New systems are often fraught
with bugs which cause havoc to
established schedules, a reduction
in service levels and loss of good-
will. Sometimes programs that
have run trouble-free for years
suddenly become problematical
after a minor amendment. Amend-
ments can give rise to other
amendments which, in turn,
distort the original logic of the
program to a point where debug-
ging becomes a nightmare.

Hardware will display similar

3 " hrenic tendencies after a
ation or change to the engi-
neering level. This can be caused
by a new card being faulty or adja-
cent cards being displaced during
fining. And the configuration can
be enhanced while corresponding
amendments to the software are
overlooked.

Whatever the reason many

operations managers, from bitter
experience, dread change. Preserv-
ing the status quo is the only way

they can visualise peace of mind.

Yet it docs not have to be this
way. Change can and should be
controlled in a manner that makes
it a non-event. The implementa-
tion of a change should be transpa-
rent to the users who will benefit
from it and should certainly not be
visible to those who are not
involved.

their own destiny and thereby in-
crease their accountability for the
level of service provided.

A change is anything that alters
the configuration, the programs,
the procedures or the environment
as they exist. It can be a new suite
of application programs or a minor
amendment to a listing program, a
new operating system or a fix to
the existing one, a new CPU or
string of disc- drives, or a non-
critical engineering modification.
These changes may be originated
by users, technical services,
systems development, operations
or outside suppliers.

Whatever its source or intern, it
will constitute a hazard to the
smooth running of the installation
if not introduced correctly.

The first stage in the control of
change is the assessment of the
implications of the proposal. Like
any proposal it should be subjected
to a critical analysis.

The reasons for the change
should be examined to see if they
can be achieved in any other way.
Are the reasons sufficient to war-
rant a change? Will the proposed

Giving operations
greater control
over change is
another step to
giving them
greater control
over their own
destiny.

area within the department could
be involved, so the change control-
ler will have to liaise with analysts,
programmers and engineers as well
as members of his own team.

He will have to have sufficient
authority to ensure that co-opera-
tion is forthcoming from non-
operations personnel. A change in
attitude may be called for because
in these circumstances de-
velopment staff will find them-
selves accountable to operations.
While against tradition, it is essen-
tial if the change is to go ahead
smoothly and on time.

Because there are likely to be a
number of changes in progress at
any one time, change control will
co-ordinate the interaction, de-
pendencies and priorities of
changes where it is necessary.
Having a single point of control
will also eliminate any duplication
of effort.

Because the majority of changes
will be small-to-medium in terms
of resource and impact, change
control is really project control in
miniature. But changes should
never be reviewed in isolation. Co-
ordination should be the conse-
quence of regular and representa-
tive meetings monitoring the
progress of all changes against the

yisioie to those who are not change achieve the desired pur-
mvolved. • pose?

■ Where change goes wrong and Once these questions have been
s fleered, then there satisfied, the effect of the change
. , ** backout and recovery on existing resources must be
proccdurca which can be brought looked at. Major changes may re-
fi- ¥ unedjar 5!Y. w ‘ l b swift quire additiohal equipment or new
fondiunns are met software aids. Even relatively
Am.ialf . l l . ntfoducu ° n °f change small ones may consume the last of
^huWnofearsforanybody. the available disc space through

progress ol all changes against the
background of other pertinent
events.

Like everything else in data
processing, pre-implementation
testing is the key to trouble-free
change. Nobody pretends that
thorough testing is easy, but in nn
effort to ensure that the tests de-
vised are adequate they must be
subjected to a critical analysis as
well. _

sh wiL d hold no fcafS for anybody.

what this comes down to is the
management and control of
dunge, a function which should
fre formally established within the
operations group. There are still a
number of installations that have
not recognised the need for this
essential activity, and even where
it does exist there is a high proba-
bility that the authority vrith which
h is administered !s not strong
enough.

The mechanics of a change
control procedure are simple.
Making it work can be extremely
difficult. It necessftates the ftp-
pointmem of an operations person
*uh a good knowledge of the
operation, the applications
programs arid operating software,
tnu person must be skilful in the
Handling of colleagues, particu-
! a T‘Y where their specialised
knowledge is of a greater depth
man his broad brush picture. He
must also be a strong personality,
5“*^ browbeaten or intimi-
r* , 1 out at the same time
outward looking when ap-
proaching the hurdles to be

effective' ** C *° re a c ^ n B e becomes

system will not function
52"* it has the full
2f£? rl and co-operation of
jsiems, programming and techni-

dwtKlli c ” .porcofincl and is tm-
tobned with the authority of the
«t* proeessuig manager. This is

paI l 6f a

lUL 1 ? a obooge m attitude,
loyaiy aCb a ° d ,n BOme c a8e8

or ^l-n ch W t0 hardware

a “ 0U .W hi introduced

increased file or library require-
ments. The possibility of augment-
ing resources must be measured
against the deadline; specified by
the person making the request.

It changes could result in un in-
crease in volumes or timings, then
these must be looked at in the light
of existing^ .wheduled commit-

mcnM^ASi online 'hpplirits.-. y
pendent on an overnight batch job
could be delayed at the start of the
day if the processing time of the
batch job is extended to the point
where it cannot be finished in
time.

I . i

; - 5 -

The first AS 19000 to be installed in the UK (Feb 1981) at Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance. New systems need
careful planning.

careful planning.

heavyweights on site to perform
instant corrections. If your opera-
tion is less than seven days per
week then all major or complex
changes should be scheduled
outside production hours.

If everybody involved has
knowledge of a planned event and
what part they will play in it, then
even if it goes wrong it will not |ar
so much as an unexpected
occurrence. Regrettably this is one
area where most of us fail. Telling
somebody what you are going to
do does not gel the job done. In-
stead we concentrate on doing it,
and find there is insufficient time
to tell anybody.

It is imperative that all formal
channels of communication arc
opened. It is here that the change
controller has an important role to
play. Where relevant, revised
operating instructions must be
available, schedules changed and
user manuals updated. Computer
operators and terminal staff must
be instructed in the nature of the

change and the likely conse-

S juences. Managers must be in-
ormed of changes to the format of
their reports or the timing of their
expected output.

If there is any alteration to user
output, the test results must be
confirmed by the user before the
change is implemented. If a
change necessitates taking the
system down, users must be ad-
vised in sufficient time to enable
them to get urgent work processed
before the event.

The controller must have the
authority, on behalf of operations,
to refuse- [Q accept any change if he
feels that insufficient preparation
has taken place or if for any other
reason the change will cause an
unwarranted disruption to the ser-
vice provided. While his right of
veto gives him the timd responsi-
bility for acceptance, it dues nut
absolve the person who prepared
the change from his qualitative ob-
ligations.

In areas of conflict over the

Do they really test for all known □
conditions? Does the change
produce the required effect? Do
the tests check for any unexpected
results in another part of the
system? While it may appear ob-
vious, in practice these questions
are frequently overlooked. The ea-
sier a change looks, the less care is
taken in testing.

Minor changes fail more fre-
quently than major ones, and be-
cause of their higher incidence
they give the outside world the
impression that the computer de-
portment can never do anything
right first time.

the change controller 'comes into
play at this stage. Although he will
not have a detailed knowledge of
each program, his overall
knowledge of the system wul tell
him, broadly, the function of rach
job step. This should enable mm
to look for pitfalls which a pro-
grammer, concentrating on a
specific program, may miss, it is

suitability of the change, the
change controller will require flic
backing of both the operations
manager and data processing man-
ager. It is here that the DPM may
find his loyalties divided.

A history nf the change, with its
progress through each process,
will serve as a tool for future im-
provement. An evaluation of the
effectiveness nf the change and its
progress should indicate whether it
could have been done better, dif-
ferently or whether further
changes are necessary.

Variations in performance fol-
lowing a change may be a pointer
for tuning requirements. A* high
volume of program or system
changes may indicate that design
standards are inadequate. De-
pending on the character nf the
msialLiiiiin a number of conclu-
sions may he drawn by monitoring
the effects and nature ol the
change.

® The author is a computer consul-
tant specialising in operations.

boner

As interactive volumes increase job an. i ms snou.u ™
due to new applications, degrade- to look for t i_ # 0 p n a

tion will be experienced on concur- srammera conc^ entr 8

TraS S5n the change .

pre-requisite, must involve all par- of work done by P

ties concerned. Consequently, ^- an>lyn> ■ J* {“JjL , d * Mns ibiU-

drtiduals make such changes with- nwy rcault in o

out realising, until toTTate, the ** /J? ‘ft SrfS

effecj they have on other end receded m thj ispmtourom
programs, personnel or other areas . mon god. it should be mutually
of activity. Night shift operators in benenciai. t L nrtni *h the

particular are prone to suffer the No

romto.of this lack of foresight, . : J^iSSfSufSbin

ties concerned. Consequently, in- analysts « uteh sensibill-
dWlduals make such changes with- nwy raault m o • -

out realising, until toTTate, the ■ Ute.BottfIt ategg
effect they have on other end r^vedmt^spmto^a rom
programs, personnel or other areas . mon god. it should be mutually |
ofactivity.'kigb «_diffiQp_e_i S to»to l»j“L how thorough the

///////// h/ u /Uu uyj M icrocomputers for DataConimmicatms •

ANNOUNCING A NEW SERIES
OF ONE DAY DATA COMMUNICATIONS

fiTIUTW 9k V%«

MINICOMPUTER users

who SHOULD ATTEND?

If you use a DEC, DATA GENERAL, HEWLETT PACKARD or any

‘ - other Minicomputer and wish to connect to remote terminals —

■ -then this Seminar is for you. - .

The aspects of data communications most relevant to the
Minicomputer user are presented In layman s language,

• f The Seminar is directed towards the user.

• It requires hp engineering background. . ,

bmbolmbnt raroBMATiON

roaTS . VBNUESi a . .

and seminar handbook).

Seminars art held In ma/hr cHlaa
throughout tpe UK dining. the gear.

results of this lack of foresight, : preparation

AU aspects of change must be always the possibility ttat mm?®

planned with estimated .times for will go .hSilti ole chankea

the completion of each . stage. . ttonSe,

These will include the. rim e .!» . badtoutand

prepare the change, the amount of To ' alWavs be

teauna time. 1 tihe resources re- tecovenr- plW8 muat . d« a y® __

epare tne change, tne amount or

S a> ! a ”. 0 ! 1 . ■ II company, f J ^ , jfiA H

some cases JCL, operations 8 and user dqcq- Depending on J^SwftSBel I ■ 1 • ; .... 1 ■ . a’ppress,.;;.:^

tecovew- plans muHi-.wway*
available to correct such situations. |

quirea tor testma, amenamenis ro .

JCL. ^ei^ona uduier dm- •'

. ■ , ■ . mentation, arid the preparatlon of . plodty of tbe.change tbwi :may «

change to hardware • contingency plans where appro- elaboratt or simple, t

5 should he introdqced : pri,^”™;. ” ' ■ * v' ^

isruDtinfl th* ovUti Havitu plann^ the vatiQto.de-; bring into operatipn And awilt to

Send for
details today
and r^er^eV; .
a place on ;
yovir local

™ "T" ^ . ...

^ miirn* lurth6t

; ADpR6SS,.;.,.

r -! it

greater

pondbiUty.lt riafe the dfotts of the individuals^ :. vv . : " ' l: -'- ' ■ - V , j : ■ < jj v ff | -'--‘■f-f'-r

trend to give ' concerned.^ Depending bn ln e • I : 'vv.‘

control . ovar ; nature of ifc change evpry^ctiv^ty: . ,..dup- WU,; -a-’ 1 :.** %-’* -V v : ^ ; !*** -

take effect, . . . > .

They, can vary from the simple
expedient of tiBing 4n terher ,rer-

Kqfs ptm&K. .I6*S

I COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

people mmmmmmmmm
Venture capital firm
appoints IT manager

VENTURE capital firm Technical
Development Capital (TDC) has
named Tony Diment Industry

manager for information tech-
nology. The company is the high
technology arm of the Finance for
Industry Group.

The company's scope in com-
puting coven hardware (mainly
peripherals), software de-
velopment and Bales franchises or
equipment distributorships.

Diment was formerly deputy
cliairman of Pergaroon' Infotecn
and business development man-
ager of Pergamon Press, where he
was responsible for the company's

■Anthony Lazzerini has been ap-
pointed European marketing man-
ager at Plexus. He was formerly
product manager of Keen Compu-
ters. Plexus has signed four inter-
national distributors: Aronco of
Switzerland; Keen Computers of
London; Microcomputing of Bel-
gium and Unixys SA of France.

■Ronnie Hooker has been ap-
pointed chairman of the holding
company of Redland Automation,
which was recently subject to a

diversification into computing ap-
plications, offide automation and
electronic publishing.

Before that he was a consultant
with Logica, specialising in office
automation projects. He
previously ran an independent
firm, backed by NDRC, working
on systems for generating graphics
and animation, which was later
bought out by EMI.

Diment commented thar he is
interested in business proposals
from new and existing firms: "Not
in technology for its own sake, but
in backing innovative ideas which
have a practical application in the
marke t place."

management buy-out. His other
industrial appointments include
chairman of Dublier, James
Austin and Henry Sykes. The UK
company is changing its name to
Sarasota Automation, and the

C :nt company will now be
wn as Sarasota Technology
Ltd.

ly of Redland Automation, Nexos off-shoot Nexel. He joined
was recently subject io a Nexos in 1980 as field service

Peter S tones treel has joined Systems
Production to handle sales of the
company’s products in the UK to the
government and the Ministry of De-
fence . He joined Plessey Avionics
and Communications as export sales
manager from the Royal Navy m
1976. He left the services in the rank
of lieutenant.

director. Garry Driver has been
named the company’s business
director. He spent 10 yean with
Ultronic Data Systems as a field
service engineer, progressing to
become a d ranch manager. Fol-
lowing the acquisition by Nexos of
UDS, he became Northern region
services manager for Manchester,
Leeds, Birmingham and Edin-
burgh.

■ Graham Cleveriey is ending
his two-year assignment as manag-

Gareth Hughes has joined Oceanic's
software division initially to enhance
the company's Hospital Lab system.
He has a background as operator and
senior analyst with top companies
including the Royal Aircraft Estab-
lishment at Famborough. He also
spent some time doing installation
work in Nigeria for Systemsolve.

ing director at systems consultants
R. A. Williams and will be replaced
by Roger Williams, the company’s
former marketing and sales direc-
tor. Cleveriey continues his asso-
ciation with the company as its
financial director, and as manager
of a small team responsible for de-
veloping off-the-shelf products
and packages.

Derek Hiumihrey, who has been a
director of R. A. williams for six
years, becomes marketing djrec-

I o'

We Ve opened

The arrival of I PC's unique new publication.
Middle East Computing, means nothing
less than that

B Fbr the very first time.

lputer users in the rich Gulf
tes— andthrouahouttbe-
ial reporting on the
lology and services available
m. world-wide,
now you can talk direct—
ill direct— to potential
imers throughout this vast,
growing market. (A market
mported more than
000 worth of computer
lone In 1980).

How we v ve done it ^

^ssasasass 1

and Conference at Dubai last December. Its
enormous success revealed such an urgent and
widespread demand for computer product
Information that It will be published regularly from

II,

6000 copies will be sent to established
computer users or key personnel within
g^nmmmd major business organisations. In

Newly-formed Microsoft subsidiary,
Microsoft Europe, has appointed
Chris Gate as director of European
marketing. The operation will initi-
ally be based in the UK. He joins
Microsoft from Motorola where he
was in a senior position in the sales
and marketing of the 68000
microprocessor.

tor. Sales director is Harvey
Samuel, a systems engineer who
joined the company last year. Pro-
ject manager Ron Ronchetti has
been promoted to projects direc-

■ David Ware, former sales direc-
tor with Dicoll Electronics, has
formed his own company to mar-
ket computer products. Called
Computerware, the Berkshire-
based company has been appoin-
ted distributor for Trident Tech-
nology products and can be
contacted on 0635-6838 .

■Phil Stott has joined recruitment
consultancy IPP Marketforce as
senior consultant. He was
previously with Systime, where he
was part of the senior management
team and before that was a national
sales manager at Honeywell.

DIARY

JULY 8-9

A calculus of communicating
systems. BCS FACS Group.

S ueen Margaret Hall, University
Glasgow.

JULY 20

Information systems in health
! care. BCS Medical Group and Sus-
sex Microcomputer Society. De-
tails Dr Geoff Dove 01-385 7776.

JULY 26-28

Electronic image processing, in-
ternational conference. IEE. Uni-
versity of York. Details IEE 01-
240 1871.

JULY 28

Meeting. CUMAC CMC Reality
Users Group. StaffordBorough

Memory

reshuffle

UK. David Stem, founder of du
company’s services bureau <£
years ago, has been appoSSd
senior director and chief exSt

UK operations. He is respo^

for Memory Computer SerK
Memory Computers (UK)

Ireland)^ Compuicts Wntkn

Barry Green becomes Stetn’i
deputy, also managing director of
Memory Computer Services.

Managing director of Memwv
Computers (UK) is Graham fo
*•£* w b° joined the company io
1980 when it was formed to UuDd
the Memory range of microcom-
puter systems.

Brian McCallion, who joined
Memory Computers (NT) fan
years ago as general manager, hu
been promoted to managing dine.

■Ian Parker has been appointed
software products manager u
Canon UK’s desktop computn
division. He joins the company
after nine years in computer soft-
ware development.

■Paul Woodhouse has been i tv-
pointed reseller business ma nager
at Prime, and will be in charged
the company’s reseller business in
the South of England. He has been
with the company for three yean,
starting as a sales executive in the
City office and for past year hu
worked in Prime's special indust-
ries group, marketing to oil com-
panies. He joined from CMC

Council. Details Jim Croker on

0442-42124-

JULY 14

Meeting. CUMAC CMC Sover-
eign Group. Connaught Rooms,
Holborn, London. 10.00. Details
Jim Croker on 0442-42124.
JULY 15

Auditors' brains trust. EDP Au-
ditors’ Association Inc. Little Ship
Club, Bell Wharf Lane, Unger
Thames Street, London £W-
5.00.

JULY 15-16

Analysis and design working
party t>n" information ly***-
BCS. Open University, MUt°°
Keynes. Details from Guy Fitzge-
rald on 01-845 2030 ext 377.

■ DATA privacy, the rise in com-
puter crime, the proliferation of
electronic funds transfer and

B int-of-sale terminals, and the ad-'

will be the subject of a Data Sbcur-
ity Workshop to be held by Hat-
field Polytechnic on July 19-20.
Contributors- will include
Whitfield Duffle, inventor of pub-
lic key criptosystems and Sir Nor-
man Lindop, chairman of the UK
Data Protection Committee.
Accommodation is available. Fee
is £95, accommodation extra. De-
tails from Jill Stem, Division of
Electrical and Electronic Engi-
neering, Hatfield Polytechnic, PO
Box 109, College Lane, Hatfield,
Herts ALIO 9AB. Tel: Hatfield
68100, ext 386.

■ University of Liverpool’s com-
puter laboratory is presenting its
seventh annual microprocessor

■ The fourth bi-annud wafer-

ence of USUS (UK) will be bdd

in Central London iron)
lumber 9-11. Subjects will include
industrial, commercial, educattM
and scientific applications » *wi

i * i ms rv

workshop on applications on Sep-
tember 6-7. It aims to introduce
delegates to the concepts, capabili-
ties and application areas of
microprocessors and to encourage
the exchange of ideas between
those UBing them in industry, re-
search and education. The 17
papers to be presented will include
a special medical presentation.
Accommodation is .available in
halls of residence, and attendance

as technical aspects of p-
system. Presentations on the«
on other topics that may be 01
terest to the membership
invited from members and
members. USUS is the p-W*®
users’ society. Enquiries on
for the conference show® *
directed to Chris Saddler '

980 4811, ext 650 (daytime).
bership details from Mir*
Woodman on Milton Key° e
(0908)74066. . • ..

■ BIS Applied syawoi k

ing a conference onfourmgeno*
tion languages, to be held « ■

Cafe RoyaH London,!
tember 30. The event aims
vide an intensive utyea^tKHi
the benefits and limmdoni «
4GLa, or systems

Wall on 01-633 0866. . ■ r '

■ A GROUP of about ^20 ;

in computer-based trafo^? L.

is being brought togcthW ^
National Computing

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

PRODUCTS

Digital Equipment
releases ‘highest
capacity’ drives

.ifHffife,

CLAIMED to be the industry’s
highest-capacity rack-mountable
disc storage units with fixes and
removable media, the RA81and
RA60 have been released by digital
Equipment. They have an ad-
vanced storage architecture de-
signed to improve performance,
data integrity and system uptime.

The RA81 winchester disc
Mores 456 Mbytes of user data in a
10.5-inch enclosure. A triple-drive
RA81 cabinet-mounted option
with almost 1.4 billion bytes of
format led user space, occupies

ing a 13% to 20% price reduction
of the RA80, its 121 Mbyte Win-

ibout five square feet of
floorspace. It will initially be sold
in VAX-1 1/750 superminicom-

puter systems and as an add-on to
PDP-1 1 minicomputer systems.
The RA60 is 10.5 inches high

minicomputer systems.

and has a 205 Mbyte removable
disc pack. Up to three drives can
be packaged in Digital’s waist-high
disc cabinet. The RA60 will initi-
ally be available in PDP-11/44

minicomputer systems.

The RA8I and RA60 are priced

at £13,300 and £10,500 with de-
liveries beginning in four and six

months respectively. The triple-
drive RA81 add-on is priced at

drive RA81 add-on is priced at
£35,000. Digital is also announc-

chester disc. The single unit price
is £9,800.

AU three drives are being pro-
duced in Digital’s Colorado
Springs engineering and manufac-
turing facility.

The Digital storage architecture
defines the hardware interconnects
and software protocols for attach-
ing the RA60, RA81, and recently
announced RA80 drives to Digital
systems. The new architecture is
designed to improve 1/0
throughput, data integrity,
subsystem availability, expand
functionality and support new disc
technologies, says the company.

The RA81 has a data rate of 2.2
Mbytes per second, an average
seek time of 28 milliseconds, and
an average access time of 36 mil-
liseconds.

The RA60 has a data rate of two
Mbytes per second, an average
seek time of 42 milliseconds, and
an average access time of 50 mil-
liseconds.

Digital Equipment Ltd (CW),
Digital Park, PO Box 110, Read*
ing RG2 0TR. Tel: (0734)
868711.

WM

mm

iiMl

Hazeltine

enhances

Executive

m m

Shopping mall produced "in minutes" on IGS CAD/drafling System

HAZELTINE has introduced an
Ansi X3.64 compatibility enhance-
ment to the Executive 80 visual
display terminal family. De-
signated model 30A, this version
thus becomes interchangeable with
other data entry and retrieval de-
vices conforming to the same
protocol.

The ergonomically designed
Executive 80/30A has a large 15-
inch non-glare green phosphor

CAD drafting series for architects

display, which is adjustable for
lilt. Tqe detached sculptured key-

A SERIES of powerful computer
aided design packages for archi-
tects has been announced by Cal-
comp under the title of the Archi-
tectural Design Series.

The series has been developed

for use with Calcomp’s IGS range
of turnkey computer aided ae-
sign/drafting systems which

according to the company, arc al-

ready in use extensively in archi-
tectural practices in the UK. It

caters for all stages of a project
cycle - design, visualisation, pro-

duction and costing.
It comprises to

It comprises four individual
packages, which can either be used
singly or as a linked series of
programs covering the whole pro-

ject cycle, the first of these being
the Architectural Design Package
(ADP).

This package is a powerful set of
general purpose design/drafting
tools, with geometric construction
aids and editing capabilities which
ensure that project drawings can
be revised without the need for any
manual drawing.

Next in the Scries is the Archi-
tectural Visualisation Package
which, says Calcomp, is designed
to provide the architect with a fast
and simple method of producing
perspective drawings, as well as
other visualisations of conceptual
plans and design alternatives, for
use in client presentations.

The third component of the
series is based on the interna-
tionally accepted Cl/Sfb construc-
tion indexing system and is known
as the architectural Production
Package (APP).

Starling with building grid
creation, it allows drawings to be
progressed from the initial outline
design stage through to final de-
tailed drawing, without the need at
any stage for redraws.

The final package in the series
handles cosung and is called the
Architectural Costing Package

board features logical key group-
ings with tactile and selectable au-
dio feedback for optimising the
data entry process.

Display formats include selecta-
ble 8Q or 132 columns, double
height and double width charac-
ters, split screen facility and
smooth scrolling.

Other standard features of
model - 30 A include video high-
lighting, graphic set, programma-
ble status line.

' Hazeltine Ltd (CW), 29 2 Wor-
ton Road, Isleworth, Middx TW7
6EL. Tel: 01-568 1851.

Calcomp Ltd (CW), Cory
House, The Ring, Bracknell,

Berks RG12 1ER. Tel: (0344)
50211.

‘Keyboard to suit any application 9 Warehouse system

THE Concept Keyboard is a data

input device, designed to allow the
user by means of interchangeable
overlays of A4 size to select the
keyboard layout best suited to his
application. It interfaces into most
microsystems.

Available from Star, the codes
output from the unit can be as-

signed by the user or programmer
to characters, words, shapes, func-

tions etc or nulls as each applica-
tion requires.

The underlying principle is an 8
x 16 matrix of touch sensitive
membrane switches presented as a
chemical resistant polycarbonate
surface. Ir is a dust proof and chc-

mical/water resistant, and so can
be used in harsh environments.

Concept is intended for applica-
tion in areas such as education,
factory floor data acquisition,
and security systems.

Star Microtcrminafo (CW),

Sutton Scotney, Hampshire,
S0213LJ. Tel: (0962) 76482.

A COMPUTER BASED public
warehouse and distribution system
has been launched by MAI.

Called Wares, it enables a user
to record all transactions and
movements of stock, produce
invoices automatically and provide

a range of management reports.

It has been designed to run on

MAI minicomputers and has word
processing capabilities.

Application software available
includes order entry/invoicing,
stock control, sales analysis, ton-
nage analysis.

MAI Ltd (CW), Black Arrow
House, 2Chandos Road, London
NW10 6NF. Tel: 01-965-9731.

Hazeltine' s enhancement to the
Executive 80.

XFN/A Mf/TE

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SELL YOURCOMPUTER
THROUGH

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Tel: 01-480 0798

TEL 01*853 8289

HUNDREDS OF PROSPECTIVE
BUYERS ARE ON OUR RECORDS

FOR INFORMATION: 01-730 9938

DEC 11/34/35/40 RSX USERS:

EXPAND MEMORY UP to 4 MBYTES

OR WRITE TO: Computer Register
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considered. Purchase oi lease.

London W8

Contact: John Angus, IBL UK Ltd.,
Index House, Hlgn Street, Ascot,
Berks. 8LB 7JF. Tel: M9Q 2B212.

Telex: 847765.

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16 COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

•' . I *%' I «a i<M

successful BT product
may ruiii the
c ompanies it serves

Sea freight forwarders fear ACM) offshoot could
squeeze them out of business, says Anthea Ballam

IT would be a sad twist of fate if
one of British Telecom’s most out-
standing success stories - the tale
of ACP80 (air cargo processing in
the 80s) - evolved into an un-
happy and bloody i political argu-
ment between supplier and user.

Already a deep-felt bitterness is
developing from within the freight
fonvarding industry, and fears are
rising that Direct Trader Input
(DTI), which has grown out of
ACP80, could hit hard at the mari-
time freight industry, causing
thousands of redundancies and
threatening the existence of the
industry itself.

How has this situation come
about, and what can be done to
slop the rot?

It all began in 1971 when Laces,
London Airport’s cargo processing
system, was introduced for hand-
ling documentation and cargo ad-
ministration. The system was
widely acclaimed by both air
freight concerns and overseas air-
port authorities, and when its suc-
cessor ACP80 appeared in De-
cember of last year, it was accepted
that British Telecom, via the
National Data Processing Service
(NDPS) had become the world
leader in such matters.

ACP80 marked a significant
number of firsts. It was the only
cargo processing facility to enable
private companies to link their
own systems into a public service,
the only facility to handle both
imports and exports and die first
to have the potential to handle
both air and sea freight.

This may have been the first
mistake for, as several freight for-
warding concerns have explained, 1
the differences between air and sea
freight operations are enormous.

But in its own right ACP80 re- 1
mains a great achievement for *
British Telecom. It is the de- *
velopmems that have grown ou t of 1

f to HM Customs and Excise, and
the production of trade statistics
on goods, are also controlled.

, In close association with this ser-
vice (although it was contracted
separately) is the Departmental
Entry Processing System (DEPS)
the latest data control facility run
by HM Customs, intended to im-
prove the flow of trade goods at the
maritime ports.

The contract to handle DEPS
was justifiably awarded to the
NDPS on the basis of its proven
success (with ACP80) and the
system runs on a mainframe in
tandem with the ACP80 system at
the NDPS computer facility at
Haimondsworth, near Heathrow.

At the beginning of May, DEPS
became operational at Dover,
Felixstowe, Folkestone, Harwich,
Hull, Liverpool, London, Man-
Jester. Southampton, Stratford,
Tilbury and Manchester Airport.
Tho enhanced service allows
agents and importers to declare
goods at ports where Customs
officers enter details through video
terminals to the Harmondsworth
configuration.

Heralding this important change
was the introduction in April of a
new form, CJ2 (a revised version
of its predecessor CIO) which has
not been greeted with enthusiasm
by the freight forwarders. The
introduction of DEPS is seen as
the first stage of yet another d?
™°Ppent, direct trader input
(DTI) whereby freight forwarders
will be able to input details of Cus-
toms entries automatically over
dumb terminals linked up to die
central mainframe facility at Har-
mondsworth.

hours to deal with Customs clear-
ance when we used the CIO form,
and now clearance has gone up to
nine or 10 hours. This affects us
and our customers very adversely.

“Customs tell us that because
the form is coloured blue and be-
cause the format is complex it
takes a great deal longer to check
it. In many cases the forms are
presented incorrectly because they
meet with no familiar standards;
tiso unlike the previous forms,
they do not include carbons, so we
spend a great deal of time in just
handling these forms and inserting
carbons for duplication purposes.

“Ultimately this must increase
our costs in documentation hand-
ling. One has to type the informa-
tion in black otherwise the form is
rejected. The boxes are so small
that you can imagine that when a
Customs officer has been working
a long seven- or eight-hour shift,
he cannot possibly disting uish be-

The maritime cargo business is an ancient one, with a multitude of companies working from each port.

DTI, phase tWo of DEPS, "are ex-
pected to involve an HM Customs
recommended terminal that will be
available (at a cost) to the maritime
freight forwarders to access the
central facility.

.One freight forwarder expressed
the belief that this could ostensibly
put paid to the freight forwarders
themselves. It will certainly
squeeze out the many systems
houses serving the industry. The

houses serving the industry. The the industry itself, are young.
Customs would decide the systems They are by necessity all local to
standard, and all other configure- both Heathrow and Gatwick, and
uonswquld be incompatible with making available centralised com-
»DTI ter ™ na *- purer facilities, like the introduc-

Because the central facility will ' "

may need, and who may subscribe fom of DTI is inevitable, but it
to such a service, and continue in should not be based exdunwlvta
bumness, and who may not. a centralised system. Because *

Day exP«»“s tile behef that the disseminated nature of the m-

mishandling of DEPS and subse- ntime freight industry he believes
quently DTI is histone, and th a t s o m e fo r m o f network

springs from an inabihty to com- structure is essential, with the

prehend the radical differences be- freight forwarders ab!e to inDul
tween air cargo business methods data at will with their own choir?
andthe maritime freight industry. of hardware and only guiddiM
The air cargo companies, like protocols for communication!
the industry itself, are young, access to the system.

Th^r are by necessity ail local to In this way users would be fw
both Heathrow and Gatwick, and to invest in the daia procesiiu
making available centralised com- equipment of their choice, a fun-
purer facilities, like the introduc- damenral freedom that should be
uon of data processing systems to open to any and every form of
such early birds is a simple matter commercial enterprise. To dictate
in terms of planning. what terminal should be available

By comparison, the maritime for DTI is, he believes, a mono-
carp scene is a different one alto- poly of the worst kind,
gether. The concerns involved are Commenting on the insecurity
often ancient organisations that of the freightforwarden and their
seem to have existed almost as long need to determine both standard!
as sea trade itself. In Dover alone it and freedom in DP systems, John
,s cstoMted that there are some King of Bow Patmar cited an oc-
250 freight forwarding concerns, casion in 1979 when a number of
varying from the larger concern freight forwarding agents grouped
uke Bow Patmar and Kuehne and together to buy a £20,000 Bur-
Nagel down to Fred Bloggs, his roughs configuration. The sysrem
assistant and his micro-cum-word- was designated to handle Customs
processor. entry documentation and other

Peter Day ia not alone in the functions based on such forms pro-
belief that DTI is in reality Cus-- duction. With the introduction of
toms’ answer to government DEPS and the new C12 require-
pressure to offset costs in proces- ments the system is now obsolete
sing Customs entries onto the or must be radically re-designed,
cargo companies themselves. DTI The maritime freight forward-
would certainly reduce the staff idg industry is balanced on a cliff
required to input data entry details edge, awaiting news of DU «
to the central Harmondsworth whatever moment HM Customs
computer facility. may choose. As one executive a-

So far, early efforts at DEPS plained, the industry is in great
have certainly proved unpopular need, of- introducing automated
and now would be an opportune ^systems to make it more efficient,
moment to reconsider the other"’ and most understandably many

The freight forwarders and their
suppliers feel that they have been rail-
roaded into a monopolistic situation
whereby HM Customs can decide on
what computer terminal or facility they
may need, and who may subscribe to
such a service, and continue in business,
and who may not.

the system that pose the threat.

ACP80 is rufi on TCL 2966
mainframe systems (a configura-

The introduction of DTI to cut
costs in processing HM Customs
data entries has cast maritime
freight forwarders into gloom and
despondency, coupled with the
fear that introduction of such a
service could strike at the very
heart of the industry.

The appearance of the C12 form

. NDPS system, include the hand-
ling of import and export inven-
tory control documentation for
some 35 airports and others as well
as similar services through com-
municatUm links to six top airline
:• mainframe facilities,:

u .-V^iExDOrt^ constanttMmt. ..rUnAMtnn

has provided maritime freight for-
warders with their first taste of
DEPS, and they are not happy.
John King, a manager at the
Dover branch of the Bow Palmar
freight forwarding group, ex-
Pressed his early impressions of
DEPS in no uncertain terms. ,

tween correct and incorrect in-
formation.”

Another articulate critic of this
early manifestation of DEPS is

only have a limited number of in-
put pons, a situation could arise
whereby HM Customs could de-
cide who could and who could not
have DTI terminals. Moreover, it

Peter Day, managing director of have DTI terminals. Moreover, it
Impatex, a systems house » expected that the DTI/DEPS
specialising in the provision of terminal will carry a cost of be-
micro-based computer systems for tween £3,000 and £6.000 per unit,
the freight industry. Day pointed This would ostensibly finish off a
out that C12 was a conspicuously taro number of the umalleat
poor piece of design that was not frefeht forwarding 'concerns that
standard for any normal type- operate as “one-man bands”,
writer. Constant realignment was The systems houses are already
required in order to input the data suffering as HM Customs, the
correctly. Freight Forwarders' Association

Day s greatest fear, however, is and die NDPS prevaricate over the
the introduction of direct trader standards for DTI input,
input (DTI) which he sees as an (Understandably, the freight for-
mgemous method of making the warders and their suppliers feel
.freight forwarders pay for the pri- that they have been railroaded into

vilege of paying Customs duty, as a monopolistic situation whereby
tncy will be serins &s unoaidCiis*. . HM f^iiarnma ron /\w _mUnr..

tion of data processing systems to
such early birds is a simple matter
in terms of planning.

By comparison, the maritime'
carp scene is a different one alto-
gether. The concerns involved are
often ancient organisations that
seem to have existed almost as long
as sea trade itself. In Dover alone it
is estimated that there are some
250 freight forwarding concerns,
varying from the larger concern
like Bow Patmar and Kuehne and
Nagel down to Fred Bloggs, his
assistant and his micro-cum-word-
processor.

Peter Day is not alone in the
belief that DTI is in reality Cus-
toms’ answer to government
pressure to offset costs in proces-
sing Customs entries onto the
cargo companies themselves. DTI
would certainly reduce the staff
required to input data entry details
to the central Harmondsworth
computer facility.

So far, early efforts at DEPS
have certainly proved unpopular

moment to reconsider the other
options available. Meanwhite^ru-
. mains are rife thatgafisStowe has
been the chgsa^Venue for early
experimepraftrials into DTI, but

most understandably many
laities want to invest in DP

and most undei
companies want
and WP now. ’
At the same
knows if DTI is i

been the chgsep'wenue for early At the same time, nobody
experimprgftrials into DTI, but knows if DTI is going to be sun-
HftjLiMstonis is unwilling to com- dsrdised, so nobody dares invest,
mint on this or responses to DEPS ' It is even more curious to consider
and the new C12 entry document that this dangerous and worrying
that has been received with such ^situation has all been bom out a

ute EM unqquivocal success of Laces

1 eter L.dWvW"fflhr**oine and its neW'cousin, ACP80.

.• j-: *• \ ■ . • '..ij'I'Vi- -j

DEPS became operational at Dover in May.

: iff/ f vi \ '\: c /di^'s:'rrL'n\r:y -

r ., r} Cp^pUTER^EKLY 3 jiriy8,J982 t >17f '

MINICOMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS - 1 WRRRRRSMMMMMMMMMMMRMMRMMMMRMRSM

John Aczel begins our three-page feature with a look at trade figures for peripherals. Deficit will probably continue

Vigorous sales push abroad
needed to right the balance

BRITISH sales of peripheral
equipment in overseas markets are
softening, and have dropped in
value at the beginning of 1982.
These conclusions emerge from
the latest published Customs and
Excise trade statistics which refer

to January 1982. ,

There has been some delay in
collecting the trade figures owing
to computer problems experienced
by the Customs and Excise depart-

ment, so that the figures have not
come out as quickly as usual.

Nevertheless, the underlying
trends are Quite clear and indicate

trends are quite clear and indicate
some weakness in deliveries in
many key markets.

Undoubtedly British computer

firms are meeting strong competi-
tion in some markets and lower
sales have been reported in certain
European countries. In particular,
deliveries to the Netherlands have
declined by over 25% compared to
the previous month, while those to
Belgium were easier in this period.
Sales to Switzerland and Spain
were also down, but, in contrast,
higher deliveries have been
recorded to West Germany and
Italy.

One encouraging feature,
however, is that the British exports
of computer peripheral equipment
have been gaining ground m the
Middle East and rising deliveries
have been seen in that region dur-

Peripheral units
Disc storage units
| Magnetic tape storage units
1 Other storage units
Printers

Readers and punches
VDUs

Other terminals and
consoles

Other peripheral units
Online data processing
equipment

Punches, verifiers and

calculators

Other equipment

January

1982

£000

December

1981

£000

Sept-Dec

1981

£000

3,546

3,734

17,123

294

1,085

3,446

369

184

1,331

2,342

3,213 ’

11,581

381

725

4,036

13,817

11,571

56,752

1,198

1,106

4,355

8,395

10,625

42,344 •

20

10

57

285

347

1,985

Figure 3. British exports of computer equipment by product groups (by value ).

- uiuu)

Disc storage units
Magnetic tape storage units
Other storage units
Printers

Readers and punches
VDUs

Other terminals and
consoles

Other peripheral units
Online data processing
equipment

Flinches, verifiers and

calculators

Other equipment

mfww/' exports of computer equipment by product groups (by

Peripheral units

Disc storage units
Jupieuc tape storage units

Other storage units

Printers

Readers and punches
VDUs

Other terminals and
consoles

Other peripheral units
UH “ae data processing
equipment

FtJtJches, verifiers and

calculators

Other equipment

January
1982
£000 *

December
. 1981
^-r-sooo

Sept-Dec

1981

£000

9,331

10,039

39,729

1,464

2,229

12,379

1,352

780

2,668

.7,666

10,356

39,174

230

276

1,186

4,885

5,510

21,555

2,600

2,363-

11,867

16,059

15,793

72,220

46

24

317'

1,038

. 1,255

4,586

Figure 5. flri/iift imports of computer equipment by product groups (by value).

January December Sept-Dec
1982 1981 1981

Peripheral units
g«c storage units
JAjgwtie tape storage units
”Uter storage units

Printers

Rwders and punches

Other terminals and
consoles

0£«peripheMhnits ’ .

^.d,up«,ce,. iag

Other eqiiiptaeht:

12,721 . ; 38,017
: 479;.:: 11,925

i;869 ; 3,280

14,022 < 57,618
:419V> 1,971
;• 9,743 33,391

-i* iiUf - • J « -ft

ing January. In particular, sales to
Saudi Arabia were up by 8% and
reached a new peak of £2.1 mil-
lion.

- It is interesting to look at the
trends in exports by volume, as
actual numbers exported have
gone up during January. Whereas
the total number of peripheral
units sold abroad amounted to
24,900 in December, this figure
went up to over 26,700 in the fol-
lowing month.

Imports of peripheral equip-
ment have remained at a nigh
level, even though they were
slightly easier during the early part
of 1982. In January, total de-
liveries from abroad amounted to
£43.5 million, which was a decline
of 8% compared with the previous
month.

In terms of numbers, there has
also been a drop in imports,
though the fall has not been as

though the tail has not been as
significant as in value terms. Thus
55,900 peripheral units were im-

ported as against just over 58,400
in the previous month.

These figures reveal that the US
maintained its dominance in the
peripheral sector, though its sales
in January were lower. American
deliveries accounted for nearly
60% of total imports, and other
countries have made further in-
roads into the British market. This
was particularly the case for
France and West Germany, while
sdes by Italy were well maintained
in this period.

On the whole, Britain will con-
tinue to have a major deficit in the
peripheral sector; the lastest situa-
tion indicates that imports have
exceeded exports by £13 million,
and this trend is unlikely to
change, at least over the coming
few months. Unless sales abroad
are built up more vigorously, this
imbalance will continue, and may
even increase significantly in the
course of 1982.

John Aczel is a consultant.

January

1982

£000

December

1981

£000

Sept-Dec

1981

£000

Belgium-Luxembourg

889

1,278

5,596

France

5,337

5,365

24,694

Germany (West)

6,167

5,633

30,387

Italy

3,346

2,727

15,681

Netherlands

976

1,337

6,285

Norway

775

310

1,392

Saudi Arabia

2,144

1,978

3,562

South Africa

1,089

1,487

5,178

Spain

864

1,422

4,786

Sweden

1,382

1,345

6,272

Switzerland

1,493

1,830

6,118

US

1,028

1,493

7,001

Figure 1. British exports of peripheral equipment (by main markets).

January

1982

£000

December

1981

£000

Sept-Dec

1981

£000

Belgium-Luxembourg

332

792

3,287

Canada

490

376

2,290 .

Denmark

403

113

1,199

France

2,084

1,915

9,071

Germany (West)

3,842

3,531

13,396

Ireland

778

1,066

4,614

Italy

3,303

3,381

16,030

Japan

1,082

1,881

6,862

Netherlands

2,455

2,496

6,660

Spain

568

642

7,059

Sweden

919

1,413

5,763

US i

m

26,812

112,099

Figure 2. British imports of peripheral equipment (by main suppliers).

January

December

Sept-Dcc 1

1982

. 1981

1981 |

No.

No.

No. §

pfl

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20 COMPUTER WEEKLY, July8, 1982

MINICOMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS - 2 1

How to be fail-safe
without duplicating
the system

Waiting for maintenance calls means loss of business...
Tony Smith gives some recipes for resilience

MINICOMPUTER suppliers, pio-
neers in the development of low
cost interactive transaction proces-
sing systems for small and
medium-sized companies' general
computing requirements, nave a
strong foothold in distributed
processing.

Both markets require a high de-
gree of fail-safe ojxnition lor the
user. The more he depends on his
terminal-based computer system
- to process, for . example, his
sales ledger - the more vital it
becomes for his system to be

Minicomputer suppliers are now
thinking in terms of offering some
form of resilient processing capa-
bility that avoids the heavy ex-
pense of complete dual processing,
previously the only method on the
market but way beyond the budget
of most companies.

The new approach is to add a
series of hardware and software
techniques to existing configura-
tions that will enable any organisa-
tion to add safety to its interactive
computer system ~ only where it
is required and where it can be cost
justified.

Nowadays the typical minicom-
puter user is not necessarily a small
company, largely because the

vironment, because in all compu-
ter systems, however reliable, both
hardware and software oc-
casionally fail. Resilience cannot
change this basic truth; it gives a
system the ability to cope with
failure and still keep on running.

Traditionally, resilient non-9top
computing has been associated
with defence systems, oil pipe-
lines, banking, and has earned a
heavy price tag. Non-stop comput-
ing has been provided by
specialised configurations each
specifically engineered for the par-
ticular job at hand; or by duplicate
systems standing idle until needed.
Most commercial computer appli-
cations could not normally justify
such expense on under-utilised

capital equipment.
For the small bi

For the small business systems
user with just a few terminals
finking key areas of his business,
some form of fast recovery mech-
anism protecting his database from
hardware or software failure is
very attractive. Any “incident" is
reduced to just a hiccup in the
availability of his data.

However, it is unlikely that he
can justify expenditure on
duplicating any aspect of his com-
puter system. But later, as his de-

power packed into these systems,

C iculariy in interactive network-
environments where terminal
control is often manag ed by
specialised microprocessor-based
subsystems, compares favourably
with many mainframes.

Many companies have de-
veloped online, interactive data-
bases with terminals operating in
real time. Such systems are
transaction based, so that as orders
are received they are put on to the
ledger, stock is updated, invoices
are output, picking orders are
listed and warehouse bills are
printed out.

Hence there is a new and wider
need for non-stop resilience in the
commercial and minicomputer en-

puter system. But later, as his de-
pendence on the computer grows,
that decision might change.
Ideally, he would build in just
enough resilience to cope with the
most likely causes of failure, such
as electrical failure or operator in-
put error.

A method of adding simply a
fast recovery option, which holds
information either on disc, or on
optional memory boards, with on-
board battery backup, and which
could be added to standard
hardware and programmed to offer
fast recovery to standard system
software had to be provided.

For the most part its addition
means the purchase of no extra
discs or main memory. In case of
hardware failure, as in a power
cut. the recovery of information is
well protected and is effected when
the Bystem is re-started.

In the case of software failure, a
fast recovery option will check-
point the progress of applications
level software so thAt following a
program failure, the database is
quickly returned to a consistent
state.

Integral to this approach is the
need to . protect the database
against corruption and against in-
consistencies that might arise from
incomplete update sequences. Da-
tabase operations frequently
involve many separate but related
updates. For consistency, these
updates must be applied as a com-
plete set.

The fast recovery option sug-
gested here would ensure rapid
and automatic recovery to a consis-
tent state - even when a hardware
or software failure comes in the
middle of update processing.

Following a checkpoint call it is
important for a database system to
maintain "before look” copies of
all records subsequently updated.
A database management system '
will continuously monitor access to
the database and provide the facili-
ties for multi-stream updating.
This resolves contention and takes
fast recovery action in the event of
user program failure.

Data can be protected against

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• a program fails while it is holding
locked records, the database
i system will automatically release
the locks as part of Its fast recovery
mechanism.

But a user also has to weigh the
possibilities of much more disas-
trous failures, such as a head crash
on a disc drive. When the disc
goes, everything goes. In addition
to the fast recovery option, manu-
facturers should also offer a second
level of resilience to enable the
user to take up the option of mir-
roring his discs.

In each case the decision should
be the user's. He should be able to
assess, the possibility and the effect
in relation to his business and the
c o« of doubling up on his discs.

t .^ disc option added to
me easting computer system en-
sures that even after a catastrophic
^rfadlredri TC ,th«^w
weak- in online service. Com-
pletely transparent to the user
«* Physical disc drive
W be miirored with a second
drive identically updated.

Database Updates are autoznat-
applied m parallel in full re- .

•SS!L ,s ? t ? ni l wth two mirror
wages of the data maintained on
jfcyakally separate drives. Data iE
raid from either disc drive: Failure
“jftoted discs causes auto-
matic and Instant changeover ttf
the alternative drive~^ .

»f • diti rtmraed to
- service is also automatic. The data-

Tel. No..

Same organisations’ commit-
ment, to multi-user, termihai

transaction processing]* such that
they require full ohline uroc*s«lnii

Resilient non-stop computing hat traditionally been associated with banking .

is, of courae, the traditional ap- full work potential. native mode one

preach to non-stop computing. Most minicomputer manufac- directed to process* mb
In full resilient systems, two turera offer the user some form of middteound,

°^™= “ d 'pmdent computer transaction processing package. from X forc™n^
systems can be linked to act to- These bring to the user the bene- systems

i\ in W at * d duaI r !“ of 0lUme transaction proces- The transaction processor hik

9JS*®r Btch has fu ^ onbne up- sing without the need for very middlegroimd h thTISnikh
JSJJ* c ° mmimica t in 9 with, specialised programming skills, systemnow takes over nroceS
and checking «s partner through Applications are programmed in of transactions in bothbfff
the link. Thus Itigh throughput Co&ol, with the transaction proces- This involves comffeZ m

sor providing VDU handling and middle^ound 2
Each has its own instruction real tune operations. progress at the foe of Si

8t0tt * ^ conlro lfe 8 To support resilience, the VDuT 8 connected to the fi&j
transaction processing software system may be switched to then-
disc doves are dual-port units, must have a particular architec- mining system.

™ COntro1 ' lure - The transaction processor After ^identifying himself u
lera on both systems. . separates foreground VDU hand- the system, each VDU Shi?

nf *?“" under “PF? 1 ling from middleground file updat- formed o/ the last transactioa

sssteas.-^

JS SRa* SKHJMSSB jstjsi ssss
aitST-iffiS P ~ ! ^ — ssasssissat

tiSn Tn rlJf anH ment » ■W® »tandard requirements. For every ippik*

r,??»-«- te8 D^fn_f? por lt. on faotl ? transaction processing software tion he should assess the pomKt

gether as an integrated dual
system. Each has full online up-
date access, communicating with,
and checking its partner through
the link. Thus nigh throughput
and resilience are achieved.

Each has its own instruction
processor, store, disc controllers
and input/output processors. The
disc dnves are dual-port units,
connected directly to due control-
lers on both systems.

Each system runs under control
of its own operating system, within
which it runs its own copy-of the
database software.

Using the link, the database
software extends its responsibili-
ties for database integrity. The
link must have a monitoring func-
tion to test and report on both

full work potential.

Most ityinicomputer manufac-
turers offer the user some form of
transaction processing package.
There bring to the user the bene-
fits of online transaction proces-
sing without the need for very

sor providing VDU handling and
real time operations.

To support resilience, the
transaction processing software
must have a particular architec-
ture. The transaction processor
separates foreground VDU hand-

vuvwouuii) 1 wuiiipibibu — Citu a

he is now using a different VDU.

This approach of graceful resili-
ence is a new concept. It allowsi
data processing manager to dm
up a hierarchy of his own resilience
requirements. For every applies
tion he should assess the possiHe

returned to the consistent srate of
the previous checkpoint, and any
record locks held by the failed
system are released.

Such a link, in normal use, can
provide important performance
benefits as well. Because the traffic
is usually low-volume, each system
achieves a high percentage of its

tween the two systems. Both
transaction log files are held on
shared disc drives, available to
both transaction processing
systems.

Normally, transactions are fully
processed by the system control-
ling the VDUs from which the
transaction originated. In the alter-

i application demands it, his com-
i pany can afford it and the cost cm
> be justified in straight commeKul
[ terms.

t Tom Smith is marketing mttMiofa

■ the Momentum series of minimi-
i ers at Computer Technolag/ W

■ (CTL).

&W-:

ii

_ i v". ’-'7" vi a inuvvl

MWMUAMMjA I with uniihcrrupted access to thi

;■ “P'to-rfie-mlnute. databaiq, This -

COMPUTER WEEBCLY, July 8, 1982

MINICOMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS -

Minicomputers play a major role in data preparation... Peter Robinson gives a'brief history and maps the future

Falling costs make
key-to-disc an
important UK market

■fj

DURING the last decade, in application a
parallel with other computing multi-use term
equipment, the overall coat of key- even stemmed
lo-disc has been reduced by some try via specifi
50 %. Compared with the increase systems, for e
in salaries of data preparation staff, 7502 emulation
smaller and smaller configurations # File handlin
can be cost justified, which has further extend
made it an important market for validation capal
several UK companies. key-to-disc aim

Not until the late Sixties did duction) and fi
data processing management be- requirements I
gin to evaluate equipment which routines being
would materially reduce the costs mainframe,
of data preparation. The equip- substantially lo<
ment initially took the form of mainframe prof
magnetic tape encoders, but these bilities for chai
in tune were auickiy overtaken by users,
a nnh of key-to-disc systems • Extensions
offered by minicomputer manufac- controlling fu
Hirers. eluded certain

Manufacturers were quick to sing functions 1
capitalise on the fact that data pre- of user oriemec
para lion probably absorbed up to guages, for ea
25% of a total DP budget; was the Basic,
most labour intensive section • The use of a
within the DP department with vices such as
probably the highest potential for recognition ten
human error; and traditionally had devices, etc,
an unfavourable productivity stun- creased manpo^
daid. DP departmen

while several key-to-disc or control of key
diskette systems have been on the vided and ensiu
market, tbt concept is probably ordinated strea
best explained by the name it is mainframe has I
riven by central government, # Facilities ha
rCK: processor controlled keying which enable
equipment. By sharing the capabi- paration requii
UUea of the processor and asso- by the uae of t
owed penpherals (eg disc, tape, and which enat
printers, etc) the overall cost per cations to rely l
terminal was kept to a minimum, traiised system ,
llus was particularly so on those Reports on

market will oriented. Key-t

remain keyboard % defined, howev
oriented 7 men ted in mar

* possibly excee

lyncms capable of supporting 32 tern

w more ter minal s.

The largest users of key-to-disc , 8 “

* generally in central goveta- ^ e “«raUsec
mrot, nationalised Industries, in- Pf 00 ®

nwnce, credit card and mail order ^ t0 largl

ewiparues, ie those with large cen- ,

^ksed computer facilitire and a QCR ^^
preparation requirement that . 1 * 1

be cost effretively entered P r l nt rec
dj «tly into the mainframe SSh i oub L5 v , erc ? ni
«lue lerminals at source, orb? ^ need for fcej
“mjoiher means such as dCR.^

These centralised kev-to-dlac contro “ tc , ra

are staffed by sSciriSS “f 11 Minp Et

““Potent and oper2^yJ?h ^

^ SPSS’S

syiiou'hi've'lSiid*^ 0 '^ «™P 1 ™ Kn “ I >
^miordKdon^: LSdS*

Six

«xl in high X vSume y iS^miilrSS haK * w « e char

-MS

spsl&s S£SS

™ trend ' (ar writ a pena

gLt'sssSS as

: particularly l veltom^Jat'
^thin ; wiuSSbsr
^ key-, •. g ntmtm

application areas, provided a
multi-use terminal, and possibly
even stemmed the tide of data en-
try via specific, online terminal
systems, for example 3270 and
7502 emulation.

• File handling capabilities have
further extended the front-end
validation capabilities (available on
key-to-disc almost since its intro-
duction) and further reduced the
requirements for complex input
routines being developed on the
mainframe. They nave also
substantially lowered the costs and
mainframe programming responsi-
bilities for changes dictated by its
users.

• Extensions to the processor
controlling functions nave in-
cluded certain application proces-
sing functions by the-introduction
of user oriented programming lan-
guages, for example Cobol and
Basic.

• The use of alternative input de-
vices such as OCR, handprint
recognition terminals, point of sale
devices, etc, have further de-
creased manpower costs within the
DP department, but under the
control of key-to-disc. have pro-
vided and ensured that a single co-
ordinated stream of data to the
mainframe has been maintained.

• Facilities have been provided
which enable users’ data pre-
paration requirements to be met
by the use of their own terminals
and which enable control of appli-
cations to rely less and less on cen-
tralised system level specialists.

Reports on future trends still
indicate that the data entry market
will remain essentially- keyboard
oriented. Key-to-disc as previously
defined, however, will be supple-
mented in manpower terms, and
possibly exceeded in hardware
purchasing terms, by a closer inte-
gration with OCR equipment.
This is particularly true where
large centralised computer installa-
tions and procedures have histori-
cally led to large key-to-disc instal-
lations.

The Increased capabilities of
OCR in both numeric and alpha
handprint recognition will no
doubt' overcome a proportion of
the need for keyboard input, parti-
cularly where there is some level of
control in terms of source docu-
ment completion. Further de-
velopments in hardware/software
character recognition will increase
the number of applications suit-
able for OCR.

Key-to-disc will be providing a
complementary solution via key-
board input to applications not
suitable to OCR.

For the smaller user there will
be similarly significant but dif-
ferent changes m key-to-disc, par-
ticularly in the area of diversifica-
tion of usage. This will almost
certainly lead to substantUl
hardware changes with less de-
pendence on centralised control-
lers and storage.

For applications still needing
final central processing tjiere will
be a central control requirement
with less emphasis on size of
hardware (as has been the!. case

uction of GCS
ig lan-^™* 1

ming languages (Pascal, Basic, Co-
bol, Fortran, etc). In addition
there will be an ability to commu-
nicate interactively with a variety
of mainframe computers and to
support their own features (eg
IBM 8nd APL). The local
hardware will in turn support slave
terminals and printers with some
or all of these software attributes.

The overriding change is that
systems at all application levels are
now being developed with the non-
computer specialist user in mind.
And management structure
is changing with the result that
general data processing staff and
the users themselves are now re-
placing the need for the traditional
data preparation staff.

Peter Robinson is marketing director

Data preparation probably absorbs 25% of the total data processing budget, as in this local government installation.

The ACT Sirius 1 is the UK's best-selling 16-blt
personal computer and the only one wlfn such ;
large choice of 16-blt software - business and

with large key-to-disc installations)
and more emphasis on network
control ami communications in-

^A^ritinuing trend will be to-
wards a personal workstation ap-
proach. Activitics wlll be
controlled by the: application ex-
perts at source api there wifi be
extended well beyond- to entry
and the : associated functions
outlined above.-. •• i, x ":

Software and. hardware de-
velopmerits at a local terminal IcVel

; sclentlflp programs specially
advantage of the high speei
. 16-blt Intel 8088 rnlcro-
_ .gngemsprattheli^^

. cbmblriethe advanced
§frlus 1 with this faster and
; v more powe^

r : . vou qan see wfiyjnore apd V
f. ■ more blislnessusers ate hiak
\\ lngSIrlgs thelt number bne^-

t ■' ' choice, -. ■-■Vv •

S . . V CB»TO896 KBYIC8 RAM

• as an option. And 5 arid 10 1
i Mbyte Winchester disk drh/e
are scheduled for early ;
r - * introduction, v ;

• - ’ : ' ' ; And built Into ever/

. : siriusls an audio decoder, a
revolutionary new facility k
that can play bad? verbal : ■

: messages and prompts to /
assist non-computer
people get acquainted
with the software more qulc

PffiW16-BU SOFTWARE

AIL the big names In apt
,. on the sirigsi ACTS Pulsar for
h for word processing, MicroM
• . modelling and SuperCalcthe ”

' "'"'H'aa

ACT pro
'puters-
rrtnla
-con
-abies

Lt- - I

•• L-.

W be in. there ©udined above. - % ' :• t, x ": j;.

; v ■ v ^FREeR0ST;:Ha!ejso\iyett;

•vewpmdrttSe . ■■ .Ay;-- ,r : ;. ■ =, .. v

22 COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

Jk /\i

/-% OVER 100,000 COPKS EVE^WEEK

Appointments

CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT,
QUADRANT HOUSE.

THE QUADRANT.

SUTTON.

SURREY SM2 GAS.

Box Numb* nr Should bo addressed
10 ihe box number in Ihe
edvonlsemeni c/o Computer Weekly
al ihe above address.

Classified Rflte: £27 per see
19x3 cols = £1.175,

39x3 cols = El .933.

Hall Page 119x7 cafsl » C2.079
(39 » 4 cols) «= £2.423
Full Pago <38 x 7 cotsl - £3,900
Copy DeetKInw 3.30 p m. Monday
prior Thursday publication date.
Advanced apeoe reservation Is
advisable.

LONDON 01-MI 0121 HO Hn«]
CONSULTANCIE8 SALES

Sa/ea Manage
Chris Prist

DIRECT CLIENT SALE8

Weselej Manager
Shofahan Gfljjar

MANCHESTER/QUUOW

Owen Kelly 081372 8861
BIRMI NO HA M/BRISTOL
Vic Sherei 021-366 4B3B
Classified Production
Sieve Lever 01 361 3104

Being shunted down the
sidings?

Switch to the main line by coupling your
experience and aspirations to this interna-
tional manufacturing and research orga-
nisation already on route to further suc-
cess.

The provision of extensive System 38 and
RPG III training will enable you to steam
ahead within the timetable of major de-
velopment projects currently being un-
dertaken.

If this signals your next move and you
match the requirements below - call
Gordon Thompson now quoting GT3483
for further information.

f jMxm HKi mx

mfmm

• * " • ■
■j - ’.

V k>V....’^ !

> . • ..:x*' ’t/'

• " VVA.<* A .

WKm

Analyst to EIZ.Hk

★ 3 yrs in IBM environment

★ Programming background

★ Feasibility to Implementa-
tion exp.

★ Effective communicator

★ Management potential

Anal/Prog £1 Ok

★ V /2 yrs + S34/RPG II

★ Good interpersonal skills

★ Flexible approach

★ Leadership qualities ..

Computer Search

01-404 01S2

11 Hotl s ~ f; - P Southampt on 'flaw London WC1A 2AJI

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

SalesExecutives

Currently Earning

£ 14,000 - £ 25,000

Michael Unford Associates wish to hear from
Senior Sales Executives and Sales Managers
whose track record to date has demonstrated
superior ability.

We are an established consultancy w.ho specialise in
the search and selection of sales and marketing
executives for the computer industry.

Perhaps your current appointment is fulfilling your
career needs, but nevertheless; you are interested in
future opportunities, alternatively, you may be actively
seeking a new appointment now.

You may be looking for:

★ A higher income ★ A more sophisticated

★ A totally professional product

peer group. ★ A more authoritative role

Or, more likely, a combination of all these factors, then
perhaps its time you spoke to us. Bear in mind, the best
position for you may never be advertised.

In the first instance, telephone Steven Baker on:
01-370 2012/2013. Or send a brief CV for his
attention to the address below. Any approach will be
v treated in the strictest confidence.

B

All

Michael Linford
Associates Ltd.

*■■■ I:\CHU l i ve Siiairh Consul Ian Is (01 « 5 ,

IJiOA (UmictLsIer lload. I -notion SVV7. Telephone: 01-37(1 2012.21)13.

DEC - BASIC +

SENIOR ANALYST/PROGRAMMER

W. MIDDX.

£10K + CAR + BENEFITS

As market leaders within the field, of precision light engi-
neering, our client, with operations throughout Europe, is
currently expanding its systems team due to an extensive
development programme.

Ideally, you should have:

- A minimum of 3 yrs, PDP U/70 RSTS/E
and Basic + experience

- A thorough understanding of the
concepts of production control

- Organisational skill to direct +

Co-ordinate Junior Analyst/Programmers

- Ability to communicate at all levels

- Desire to travel

Our client is offering you the opportunity to be significantly
involved m the following:

- Implementation of an integrated American
software package

- Computer-aided design

- Computer-controlled machine tools

- Robotics

For further details of this position please telephone or write to:
Amanda Barahall, quoting Ref. No. 6164.

Lloyd Chapman
Associates

123, New Bond Street LondotiWJYOHR 01^4997761

OEM SALES
EXECUTIVES

Are you selling from strength?

L he0EM ^vision of DRG Business Machines we are part
international, £550m turnover, DRG pic. We are mas-
ter distributors for YE Data Drives and TEC Daisy Wheel
rmters and to fuel our already rapid growth we are ex-
tending our product range to include Winchester Drives and
n| gn speed matrix printers.

We need two experienced OEM Sales Executives with a
tho m ro u n< ^ ' n Winchester Drives to expand our business in
be 1 ern Rome Counties and the North West. You will

re wan 9 t0p qua *‘ t Y products, receiving an attractive
fils ard pac ^ age ' a company car and large company bene-

P * ease wr ftp to or telephone Peter Kllplri, Pe.r-

Stroo? d • ana P er ' D j? G Trading Business Group, 1'RedclIffe
street, Bristol. Tel: Bristol 294294. ; ;

LOOK

FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
OPERATORS WITH BURROUGHS
6700/6800 EXPERTISE

We have been retained on a “sole-supply oasis xo proviue me
following operations staff for a freelance assignment:

SHIFT LEADERS and OPERATORS with experience of
BURROUGHS 6700/6800 OPERATING systems.

Assignments for this project are scheduled to start very
shortly and will be for a period of approximately 18 months.
These contracts will be lucrative and staff will be required to
work in Southern England. Interviews for these appointments
will be conducted during the next few weeks.

Forfuture information please contact:

i ■ . * ■ . .

ALAN PAINE - 0252 516141

TRIDENT COMPUTER SERVICES PLC
TRIDENT HOUSE
38/44 VICTORA ROAD.

FARNBOROUGH, HAMPSHIRE G0147UD

TEL FARNBOROUGH (0252)516141

pDPtiDPa

□■□■□■a

□■■■■■□

Oga«DO;D.

□5:c?«opp.

OQQioaa

: Mdn.-Fri. 9 *.h!.-S.30 frit Sait 9 ‘

□□□□□□□

□■■■HMD

DOPiDQD

□ □a*ioao

^viYirviGis wupjps^.ifi juiy o, tvazi

WEST MIDLANDS

The following are a selection of current vacan-
cies we are handling:

HOLLAND & U K, VIA LA.

Programmers 2/3 years' PM in manufac-

turing environment

Analysts 2/3 years' manufacturing

applications

Programmer Min. 12 months' IBM Cobol,

ideally CICS DL1

Programmers 2/3 years' linivac Cobol,

ideally in development role

Programmer Min. 12 months' Cobol,

ideally with on-line exper-
ience

Analyst/Programmer 4 years' experience inc. 2
years Cobol

AnalysVProgra miner 2 years' Basic + 2, ideally
with Oibol knowledge

Programmer

Programmer

Project Loader

In-depth UNIS knowledge

To discuss your next career step contact DAVID WAIN
an 021-643 1994 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on 021-777 7427
evenings and weekends.

ATA Computer Recruitment

Woolworth Building
102 New Street
Birmingham B24HQ
I out-of-hours answering service)

Our client, a multi-national company
marketing a wide range o( eleclro-
, mechanical components and electronic
devices throughout Europe, requires an

Analyst / Programmer

to assist in the development and
Implementation of a modern Network
system using IBM GSD equipment.

At least 3 years COBOL experience,
together with a sound analysis
background In a commercial .
environment, should be demonstrated.

A knowledge of German would be
advantageous.

Location: Amsterdam plus European
travel. Ref: 101/82

Software Engineers

experienced in one or more ol the
following areas: -

microprocessors — digital electronics —
telecommunications — process control —
networking — real-time monitoring —
data communications^ — systems software

Location: London. Home Counties and
South Wales Ref: 201/82

Contact: Mark Clifford-

Software Authors

and programmers with a flair for writing
good documentation to produce user
manuals and programmers guides. Word
processing experience In a small systems
environment an advantage.

Location: Home Counties Ref: 301/82
Contact: Edith Watson.

SOUTH WEST & SAUDI

£5,600 - £1 2,000

SUS8EX

SENIOR mOQ RAMMER - eroren i««nT rertM (qi ICL 2600 Rul

linWindbJIfh QME COBOL f> Iwntfni pifll

ANALYST PROGRAMMER Si' mH InnMi mlfl Co r> BHghun

MJi ?«*utCtlniand/o>IIPGk|ilii»Qntvu<'iMalyiM

IVJTIMS ANALYSTS with Ilium llntrcul or iicouMlng hack
B><mnd nefdod for Inwirtiuonil Eng Co Ago2B4S Nowpou-

IlDhl

ASSEMBLER PfKM. lor opMiiimp Co in E.S< Eip. on ICL IS or
25 Oniiitonaitn.ihncwimiiiciiiani Mm J»<» ■•porloreo

HAMPSHIRE

ANALYST PROQ RAMMER lot ICL 7S0O irit COBOL Min J ,™

Take this opportunity fn discuss these and other requtiL-menis by phoning (04 b2) 57 14 1 (days) or
4MHI (evenings and weekends) or write to:

■ Marketing and Recruitment Department ■

■ala Industrial Artists Limited mJa

21 Bancroft, Hltchln, Hertfordshire. SG5 1JP. ■ W |

SHH* lAItt mlumd EnflatiMnl Bu«(nn« ttciatid hy D at L. eBIMV

d)

to £11,000
to £9,000

*»d jml.ln mfa. eiw iiOOdmjinil [rfolDBCtu S<vtrti'h0tid»v
SYSTEMS MANAGED to- rural, lubudiery ol Ini group 10 dorutap
nowHP Inn ,ii,rtKular|y mfci iponi

COBOL PHDDHAWMSR hji RSM In* MjYHnm? You mil
no<ld nun 2 yn Comni up uilng C2CS*. DOS'US don't prom

£6,600
to £11,600

PROGRAMME Rimn I yra up read in Southampton tnifg.
CgllndPonimOulh lAiuncsCa I Whirl aiayuu all?

SENIOR ANALYSTS wiihwilp comm «<e - -Ml-brne pio
ibei track ittuiiHai Cn uiwg ICL MOO. d«Mbaw and pit) new

I ANAIYSTB with ml* J<r>4 comm 4*0 * rejlbmn pic

BERKSHIRE

£7,600
to £8,000
to £11,000

Manager

£10,275- £11,517 p.a.

HYDRAULICS RESEARCH
STATION LTD.

SENIOR ANALYST
PROGRAMMER

County of
Cleveland

COMPUTER SERVICES UNIT

CONSULTANT t*ta. by mijw SV,,ra hOuu mum hav* career
bftLgioupd in mlg anal in-depth eofl In lalnl (‘Mipuisiiud pro

dueilonladinkiiiai ' £12,000

PROGRAMMERS tar mad nwd IBM «M Uvu using Cabal w . „ ...

Fan 'an Opp todovsIopikiiitinnWi envir tO tH,UUU

WEST COUNTRY

BYBItNS ANALYST wlih ocxvl joint llnanail background wanted - in ...

by A Cauniry (in jim« ore. |,c ireflagi inft man mh fclU.lHJU

ANALYST PROS h<r I0U 34 inn uaing WGII min 2 vn. goad . ...

appf.co'ioiil rrp pr.'f inmlg tO £9, UUU

SAUDI ARABfA

SYSTEMS ANALYST to t^Milinila and warily lyilmi, riranoeaco
muni CPU IBM M'Cs IlatjaaMauiMingpat'liiini Min Byre aip
IBM Mini Hava uicollani mmmunlrjtiaa abiiia Ih.iii Urn rrlaaia
OlmBiatncwvacaptiai Mora lo Minor

£18,000 to £22,000 + benefits

For the information Technology Centre at Truro. To set up
and run this exciting development in the training of
unemployed young peopto. Applicants, male or female,
should have management experience and extensive ex-
perience in microcomputers or microprocessor engi-
neering.

The post, which is temporary, ie funded from income
received from the Manpower Services Commission.

2 ANALYST
PROGRAMMERS

0422-C7MS

Project Manager- Development

£9,729-£1 0,926 (Pay award pending)

The Hydraulics Research Station Is
replacing Its 1B045 with an ICL
2D60/2B72/DAP system. The Compu-

R squired to lead a team of about 14 staff In the devalapmMindr;>
mentation of batch and on-line systems Database lecfiniquauii'a
widely used.

A good working knowledge of ANS COBOL on-line and dvjtoi
incnnlques within an IBM environment are desirable, Httiougti in r-j i
qualities required will bo Initiative, leadership and the iblDty to Wt tn
processing skills to a wldo range of Council business.

This la a senior position offering a challenge LO a parson hiving mirt
tfouB approach to a rewarding career. Tha successful candidal* rim t»
able to demonstrate a mature attitude and managerial shifty-
Tho wort la Interesting and varied and there are ambitious pirns in uu

£ 10,000
to £9,000

Application forms and further details may be obtained
on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope from the
Principal; Cornwall Technical College, Trevanson, Pool,

tat Unit has vacancies for pro-
grammers to support this System
and a network of PDP1 1 minis with
RSX/DEC net software.

Redruth. Closing date 30th July, 1982

Dagroe. HNC or equivalent and
some knowledge of a scientific Ian-

Writs at uliphonaJall Minardi

CBS APPOINTMENTS

■oamimoiitN NJ021 1921H (Offtssl ar W2MJ BS48st lavtt snd w-WidsI Agy.

Cornwall

guaga la required. Three years'
scientific VME experience la re-
quired fat the senior poet, whilst
knowladge of VME or RSX would be

advantage of modern technology to satisfy tho Inlarmailon nndt d ft
County Council and Its associated District Councils.

Assistance with removal and relocation expenses will ba purMei o s
proved cases. Temporary housing accommodation miy alto bsirl iM
within the County area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION F««MS «£«TW
PHONE COUN SCHNEIDER ON MIDDLESBROUGH 10642) HRSL DR
2352 OR ALTERNATIVELY, WHITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF C0WUTO
SERVICES, 5th FLOOR. REDE HOUSE. 67 CORPORATION ROAD. MMU>
BROUGH. CLEVELANDT81 1LY. . MU1

(lrl“

helpful for the other p salt Ions.
Flexible working hours.

Apply to the Establishment Olllco,
Hydraulics Research Station Ltd.,
Howbery Park. Walling lord, OXON,
0X10 80A.

Tel: (0481) 35381, Ext. 270. <onai

^/ciN

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SALESMEN

To service and expand dealer network In the following

with South Wales.

Telephone In first Instance: 0492 672

(OIBO)

COUNTY CONSTABULARY

SENIOR SYSTEMS
ANALYST

£8,991 -£10,581

06 ^

This is a senior appointment in the Compuiflf ' T« |rn
which is responsible for the development ana
introduction of computer applications in me i-ou i
Constabulary.

E.D.P. DEPT. MANAGER/PROGRAMMER

L.

Syittmi *n«ly»t Pregnmrria' raqulrod lo m«n»g» •m»ll Initsllstlon uilna
NCH S260 Mini Computar for Intarnstlonsl trading group ba»*d London, EC3
area. Minimum of 3 yaari Cobol programming aisantlil and Implamantatlon
pf syitam an advantlg*. Subskdlsad ttaff canlaan Panlon tchama. Baliry
nagotltbk Writ# giving full datalli of aga avparlanca and aitarv raaulrad to

.. . i vi<« vi -two *jjj tor furt har datalli.

(0170)

Preferably educated to degree or final profession
level, applicants should have practical
programming and at least five years exparlenw
systems analysis and design. Ideally In a rest
nent environment. Management expen
e and the ability to communicate anacsvwy
i fs essential.

Commuting to the city every day can be difficult, tiring and
expensive. But for at least two talented computer professionals;
here s a vastly better alternative., • -

NIQP r*nm«...in. r u .l ■ in-

NBG Computer Services at Reigate provides computing facilities
■g»r operating. companies of the National Bus Company in-the
n!? i E i aS ? m region. Right now we’re looking for the followinq
people to. become mvolved with the implementation of Univac a
based systems designed as part of the Group Strategy, together :
with maintenance of existing ICL and DEC systems. 9

PROJECT LEADER £9,600 - £10,800

YOU must have several years computing experience and have
f rfv pcH rra 1 1 ycompleted at least one project from initial
nyestigation to implementation, Experience of on-iine
minicomputer systems i&desirable.

SYSTEMS ANALYST £8,100 - £9,500

At least two years systems analysis experience is essential
If yon would like any lurther information on these vacancies

fSifBSSST ? P v W F n rsl , e . r on Rei 3 ate 4332 1 or Write today, with
full details to K. W Duckitt, General Manager, NBC Computer

vcmon Road ' E ^- ton ' . p

Essential user car allowence payable.

Application form returnable by 19 J u )^ r 9!"
Personnel Officer, Kent County ConstabuliytSW 100
Road, Maidstone, phone (0622) 86432, ext. 21 *.

KENT®

0l«

EA8TB0URNE BOROUGH COONOL BOflOlWH
TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT .

tnDwunen a vsrnmi.—- , _ ■ _

ANALYST - PROGRAMMEn

. £7371 - £W26 (Hlal"o n! If!} ' '

NATIONAL^

teen and dlsqount on company products

Please telephone or write for an
application form to: Personnel
Department, WE A Records
Limited. PO Box 59, Alperton

. tg
benefits
sad can-

COMPUTER WEEKLY; Jul^8, 1982

jr. i/5 |t . i i . •vir.:'
i . : * ! v } \:\'r i ; j h : \ \\ \ : 1 [I [\ . ■

; ■ , - 1 "•.*.*!' i ■ ■ ‘ ■ i i j r-,1 ; • i 'll- '-.

' ; ;! i s i U ■ * • i;i ! p J f I ' i\ • /; !| ! j

I ! • i ,

j i - •:

f I ■ I

Carrying the flag for Britain's Computer Industry

FIELD SERVICE
ENGINEERS
& MANAGERS

LONDON-SOUTHEAST
I, KF, PS— BRISTOL
BIRMINGHAM-MANCHESTER

£ 6000 to £14500

Plus — London Allowance
Bonuses
Paid Overtime
' Company Car

Relocation Assistance

Britain's largest and fastest growing manufacturer of interactive
business systems requires the most efficient and experienced field
engineers available. Also experienced managers for Area Control with
both good technical and commercial skills and experience.

The pay and benefits are excellent and the prospects for advancement
are unequalled anywhere else in the industry.

Sys time's client base is expanding fast and men and women are
required to join the Company's prime regions NOW.

Engineers should have 3+ years relevant experience, ideally gained on
• DEC systems. Also ideally you will have worked your way through
workshops and an apprenticeship to field engineering.

Managers should have man-management experience find considerable
ability to take commercial responsibilities
relating to administration and profit

I f you wa n t to know more about these Jjk W]

positions and would like an interview m

weekdays, evenings or weekends in

your locality, don't delay, 'phone as

soon as possible.

YOUR LINES TO YOUR NEXT

APPOINTMENT ARE- JWW

OFFICE HOURS 0905 6M512 / m

EVENINGS, WEEKENDS 06845 2210

(or write to the address below)

Computer Personnel & Executive Development Associates Ltd., Old Bank House, Bank Street, Worcs. WR1 2EW

?/•!•• V

* )

( P« LO!

service Managers

f:t!

Locations
Throughout UK

| ._ | — ni im - 1 1 aaw w»— a— ■!» —

One of the world's . fastest growing .computer
companies now needs experienced man “-’ managers
for its rapidly expanding force of Field Service Engineers

The positions will appeal , strongly to ambitious
engineers who demand a challenging opportunity
.within a highly professional computer company.' •

L tUh ylua Car

plus Benefits

The people - we seek will have an engineering ,
background and at least two years experience in a
managerial rale ■. . .

For further information please contact
BILL LAMER ON 01 -629 7262 (24 hours)

*

Illlliiilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, .1982

P.L.l. Programmers c£9,000

A major financial service organisation are currently
offering bright P.L.I. programmers a chance to broaden
their experience and develop their careers within a
growing environment.

A significant part of the work will include on-line
applications, distributed processing systems and
TOTAL database.

Current hardware is a large mainframe front -ended by a
powerful mini which supports numerous terminals.
Excellent promotion prospects for go-ahead
candidates.

Contact Jenny Burr on 01-629 8863.

Junior Systems Analyst City c£9,5Q0

This financial institution wish to recruit a junior analyst,
whose previous background' will have included some
proven analysis exposure possibly in an analyst /pro-
grammer role.

The ability to communicate effectiveiy with both DP
and non DP personnel is essential.

Career prospects are excellent within this progressive
IBM installation.

Contact Jenny Burr on 01-629 8863.

Programming Team Headers

North London c£1 2,000+ profit share

This highly successful marketing distribution company,
with a highly sophisticated computer-aided distribution
network, currently requires senior programmers or
Team Teachers for Management positions. >

'The programming team headers will assess junior staff,
interview and be involved with all other management
duties.

The successful candidate should have a minimum of 5
years’ Cobol programing experience, coupled with one
year's exposure to ClCS, DL/ 1 and IMS database. ‘

An excellent profit sharing scheme is in force,
combined with discounts on company products.
Contact Jenny Burr on 01-629 8863.

Analyst/Programmer Berks, to £15,000

Proven IBM Cobol skills combined with a sound
knowledge of Financial Systems are the primary
experience areas sought by this client based in a very
accessible part of Berkshire. In addition the ability to
communicate really effectively at ail levels (D.P. and
non-D.P. personnel) is essential. This is an excellent
career opportunity for the candidate possessing the
necessary experience and professional attitude as the
salary and benefits will demonstrate.

Contact Tom Bowles M.I.D.P.M., M.B.I.M. 629-8863.

Systems Analysts West Middx

£12,000+

Our client, a very successful international
manufacturing and marketing organisation; is seeking
experienced IBM analysts able to demonstrate a good
general understanding of commercial business
systems.

Specific experience of financial and marketing
applications in an on-line environment would be
advantageous as would an appreciation of Cobol
programming. The ability to communicate effectively at
all levels is essential.

In addition to excellent salaries and benefits the
company offer real opportunities for career
advancement.

Contact Tom Bowles 629-8863.

Senior Systems Programmer (I.B M )
Berks to £14,000

Client with a very progressive installation is seek!™ „
software professional with substantial experience in th«
area of Telecommunications, e.g. ACF/VYAM Nri
etc. '

The hardware and software in use make this a real
career development opportunity with the job securih!
and benefits one would expect from a substantial
successful organisation
Contact Tom Bowles 629-8863.

I.B.M. Cobol Programmers — West
Middx and Berks £10,000+

Two highly successful client companies are urgently
seeking programmers with in-depth Cobol skills and
experience using ClCS and DL/ 1 .

First-class career prospects, benefits and job security
combined with 'state of the art* D.P. environments
Salaries will not be a restricting factor for realty
exceptional applicants. 7

Contact Tom Bowles 629-8863.

FREELANCE

Programmers — Home Counties

IBM, Cobol, ClCS, DL/1 and IMS Database. IMMED-
IATE START.

Contact Jenny Burr on 629-8863.

INTERVIEWS . CAN BE ARRANGED OUT8IDE
NORMAL WORKING HOURS AND AT
CONVENIENT LOCATIONS BY ARRANGEMENT.

Hodge Recruitment

Bond House, 19-20 Woodstock St, London W1R 1HF 01-629 8863

MANCHESTER

SYSTEMS ANALYSTS

C. £9,000 ■+ CAR

ANALYSTS PROGRAMMERS

C. 18,500

PROGRAMMERS

C. L7.000

Guardian ^Compu ter Services is a successful and expanding

In order to continue, our expansion we now require the.
jq LLo wing staff m our Manchester office *

Systems Analyst - will have gained sound knowledge of
Lonpnercial- Systems ideally gained bn small - equipment
and: a working knowledge of RPG If would be advanta-
geous. ,. r v

Analyst Programmers and Programmers MUST have RPG'
U experience preferably but not essentially gained on IBM '
equipment.

Suitable: applicants who are seeking to enhance their

a M U u y 2 nd cha U® n P n 8 environment should
contact. Ken McEntyre or Peter Robinson on 061-737
7352 or write to the address below.

GUARDIAN COMPUTER SERVICES LTD,

St. James House, lL|j

Pendleton Way, Bw.

Salford,

M65JA. 1 U f

061-737 1331

For contracts In the South and Mldlanda.contact Alan Morton.

EXCELLENT CONTRACTING
OPPORTUNITIES

Our immediate domestic and internationai consulting needs are
detailed below. If you are of a professional disposition, skilled and
dedicated, and wish to join our permanent or contract staff, pleass
contact us in respect of these and future opportunities.

INTERNATIONAL

HHW0BF8B7 0 or 8855 P rogrammers

COBOL, ClCS, ADABAS Programmer/Analysls

IMS OB/DC to Daslon experience Systems Analysts
IGL 2900 All levels

Mark IV Analyst/Programmers

USA

Europe

USA

USA p ,
Middle East
Brussels
parls/USA

UK

COBOL, IMS/DB and/or IMS/DC Projecl Leader _

Programmer/Analysts Home ciiutobs

COBOL, ClCS, DL/1 Project Leader . • .

„■ :• ■ Programmers HomeCwiitw

SJMAS Programmer/Analyst London

COBOL, HP3000 Pregrammars .

IBM S38 or S34 and/or MAAPtCS Ar^yst/^Smero Home CowiU"

LfiflflOB .

fSSFMESEv Anatyst/Programmar

!?S*10MPPX Analyst/Programmer . HomaOofflw

IBM Sarias 1
COBOL, VIA
IBM 8100, DPPX

Analyst/Programmer

Analyst

Analyst

Lori don

Analyst/Programmer

For more Information ploase contact:

Department :

OMPUTER SERVICES

Remfoni, Essex

I iiiiMin i lliiif mini

A New Development Team

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8 , 1 982

Ju.

U'

$0

mm

i tfd.

&

He»4W5kir6

Principal CowuHart^Desper i Negotiable 5e«ior Phgtammws Jo # 2,000
Senior Team LMdets/ Consultants k 1/5 , 000 Prtymnm )o£ 9,000

Our client is embarking on the development of one
of the largest multiple node networks of computer
communications systems in Europe. Being a large,
successful manufacturing company they have the
facilities and credibility to handle a project of this size.
Early study and planning phases are initiated but
the main design and implementation teams will be
newly recruited.

PlT Y\C\ pdl nftflnt/ DfiSiqhOK The candidate (or this position will probably be a national figuje.

You will have considerable experience and knowledge ol communications and networking at a state-of-the-art
level and be capable of representing the company at Intemalional meetings.

Senior team IfAjeis /Consultants wtll have several years systems software Implementation
experience, lyplcally at operating systems level on minis and micros. They aru expected to have a good
appreciation of hardware architeclure. Experience of communlcall'ons systems would be advantageous.

Senior Prtgrjwrvmx Ptagremmer* will have two or more years experience of systems software
implementation or technical applications development on minis or micros. Essentially they will be bright
people who will be attracted by the scope and challenge offered by a project of this magnitude. '

Usual successful company benefits including relocation assistance where appropriate. ■

Apply In confidence to Terry Harvey by sending personal and career details, or contact hint
for an application form, evenings Gt. Mlssenden (02406) 4705 or daytime as below .

H. R. Associates Limited

Lxocutivr. Computing and technical Personnel Consultants

Hill House, Hill Avenue, Amersham, Bucks. HP6 5BQ, Tel: 02403 28383

I nndon office; Regent Street. W1

HR

PERSONNEL ADVERTISING LIMITED

Senior Programmers
and Programmers

to rationalise data communications networks

Valuable career experience
in software development.

Harmondsworth, Middlesex Up to £11,340 (under review)

“adware ranging from large mainframes to small business computers.

We now need a number of Programmers at various levels at our West London
. ertlre (dose to Heathrow Airport) to support and develop data communica-
bons software facilities. Specifically, they will help achieve a greater degree of
migration among the several major on-line systems and terminal networks that
control, where the spread of hardware uses both manufacturers' and

tn-nouse operating systems. * •: • . '

5 j* °°nsidered for a Senior Programmer post you must have at least 3 years
raevant Dp experience and a 1st or 2nd class honours degree. For Programmer
P 05 ^ you need at least 18 months experience and a minimum of 2 'A' levels or

equivalent.

AU applicants should have experience of on-line working and possess some
owledge of data communications. The ability to work at assembler lewd Is
adv^tage A xvor ^ cin 8 knowledge of IBM or ICL operating systems would be an

a t which level you join, starting salary will be up to £11,340 (with
«bn qUent P 10 ^ 1011 to £13.580), or Up to £9,490 (rising to £11,720). All
> ncs quoted are currently under review. Benefits include flexible working
rs and a contributory pension scheme, Excellent prospects of promotion.

for an informal discussion about the wqrk, ring JoWSteele on 01-759 2644 for
k>rm. please contact Sheila Humphreys, British Tfeiecom, Room

/ Development
/ Projects ^

' Honeywell COBOL

Programmer©

Find your place in a Marcoi Project Team - involved In the complete
development of on-line applications using the latest Honeywell equipment.

You will work in a clearly structured environment that will allow you to
develop your DP skills. -

A minimum of 4 years COBOL programming is required, with some
experience In any or all of the following skills:

GCOS TDS DMIV

Senior Programmers up to £11,500

Analyst Programmers up to £1 1,500

Programmers up to £10,000

• MARCOL offers a progressive career path', equity .participation and * full
rangd of first dass:eompany benefits, :■ ' *

Take a share in our success/ , [/3

. - Ring or write now to PwnyBgifey,

TELECOM

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

WORLDWIDE |

£ 8 , 000 ++

PROGRAMM ERS m — ■ a* PROGRAM

IBM 4331 1 1 ANALYSTS

n r r y cobol L_: - u . : - • ^qs^sT

Dear Future Employee, j jgiir^L

Our client, Afia Worldwide Insurance is seeking to augment its
programming staff with people to work on new and existing projects.

Their need is for experienced Cobol and! or RPGII programmers with
good IBM expertise. Afia already have a development team of 20
people , all of whom are totally committed to an exciting future. This
American owned company is truly Worldwide and their computing
facilities are being actively upgraded and expanded to meet growing
business , In return they offer highly competitive salaries and are
Prepared To Pay what is necessary for candidates with the right
skills; a pleasant working environment in the City Of London ; an
excellent training programme will be provided.

This is a Company who cares about its staff so vacancies are Rare . . .

Bmh miss Your Opportunity tofjmn Them!

Telephone: Sue Ashby & Anne Betts 01-836 6775 Evenings 0844 53531

INSURANCE

£9,000+4-

PROGRAMMER

analysts

DOS/VSP

EPGILzDL/1

Computer Personnel International /

A T&JC CDCriAUCT DcrDMiTucMT ccdi/itc hli/lcisiiu nc roMPilTFO SVSTFMS INTERNATIONAL I

* THE SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT SERVICE DIVISION OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL

30-32 Southampton Street, London WC2. 01 -836 6775

m

Data C^nunmii cations

Specialist

Five figure salaiy package phis car

We are a progressive and innovative Systems Company
committed to the development of the UK's largest and easily
most sophisticated Integrated Communications Network.

We currently support well over 50 remote sites and our own
microwave telecommunications network and in response to
ever increasing demands for extra facilities, we seek to
strengthen our Data Communications Support Group.

TheGroup provides a first-line dawn to dusk support service
that encompasses all associated hardware and software
problems as well as responsibility for new implementations.

. . Candidates shouldhaveaminimumof5 years experience in

tojudcal. 5 ah« & Management Appointment* _

communications and have a working knowledge of IBM 3705s
in a VTAM/SNA environment Experience should include a
thorough understanding of present-day digital/analogue
communications technology and familiarity with modems,
message switching and front-end processor devices.

The role offers significant freedom to the individual with a
high degree of customer contact and an element of travel and
time away from home. Candidates interested in discussing
this position in greater detail should telephone Alan Cornell
on 021-230 3781 (24 hour answering service) or021 784 6063
(Evenings and Weekends 7-9. pm).

ramry Ltf ' iru cam

■P .■ r. , I -nwifr-i-— f.i . VJl&l

w 5 , ir’w urj^c rr.’^'nzi f.Tjr.i-.gj'j j.

~OXaT. .vav ^ star .j. it*
cgnj s-j&n i nf inm nTf * TTr . ir . r»3 fl mg*c= : l-.gca am', irn- Tan

: Muasrr — • us J-Xwn*

m air. >• n~ — — itmii wi".! fLflr. ,-t , a4f.ujt^

aagi llttu a^a/ .’r .c.'. TOf ^ELf:

wradiTTUAi -niBcmmj cr «a

Specialist Computer Recruitment Ltd

SOUTH

James House. 46 James Stmt.
London WIM5HS
01 935 0671/486 0461

MIDLANDS & INTERNATIONAL
35 37 Great Charles Sheet ,
Oucensway. Olimmoham B3 3JY
021-230 37BI

NORTH

Blackluats House. The Parsonage.
Manchester M3 2JA
061-033 0427

BELGIUM
Avenue Louise 327
Bolts 4. 1050 Bruxelles
010 322-MO 7161/71

HOLLAND
WiHemsparhweo 92.
1071 H M. Amsterdam
0103120-760947

ra^di;i

J, o'so rcachs;;; note System Analysis. iPr.xjiir

nnte-rs orxrJ Seifert fVr<or

n. I II* ir< :ii-.l

narwark 2000.
useful. Italian Is not nacessa
oxporionco and gain (ho bans

litiUJJ

THINK

©

c £ 11,000 BBniwna.-

If you aro a realty experienced Systems Analyst with experience of VME artd/or Wtoj
TPMS or Indeed any other TP monitor and vou oru looking lor a change, thu eouw« v.
opportunity. Our client fa looking for people who would Ilka to use me>r D.ft kwwwr
and comm un Ice Hone skills to train people fo become effective System* Anety**-

further datallal

SENIOR SYSTEMS ANALYST £11,500

U r ■ LONDON AND HOW£CdUI!lii» ;;

CALUNOALL IBM COBOL PROGRAMMERS / ©

N you have a minimum of two years’ experience under DOS/DOB VfiE. ;

CICS.ourdlent would Ifkato hear from you. ' „ , J [ n unitW.‘

VM/CMs or DU would ba an added tonus. We offer a large jeJeodon

positions, hlgh ealarlM and perke. 1 • i.'. V;

PROGRAMMER/TEAM LEADER ' ■ c £1 1.D0O

a^g AMth Databaee, On*URe Syetema and Modular>ro0r«inmlpg teohrtquei, lo tat»,°.nPN» oi s r ^ ,
devetopmant team and existing eyatems. ■„ ■ • . ’ ' ‘

BffiENKOUte
MWkTONROAD ■
LONDON 6WlV IDE

; i '■•'v-riliMS'

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE
... SOUTH-EAST

£7,500 to £13,000+

PfogrammnnlV 0r "ly ,,B S! n B Consultants, Analysts and
ogrammers for cllants based in the South-East. .

a s

.nv ira cHr™s D h h«Xm%° u 181 ° r * c,,n,iHc

wnSnflSlfnsuK * att 2?!i!S. pflcka £ e# wf1h sa| erles

wiifiln aaav'raSk ?S £ j 3 *°9 Q v® nd " 1Q chance to live
*" lha banefltVof 1 ruraH?fe?° U *^ C °° St Bnd London< with

-rSm7 D i ? .SS, c S6 , p C !m Dsrek S, ' nley ° n Cr ' W ’

ATA COMPUTER RECRUITMENT
34 The Boulevard, Crawley
lout of hours answering service)

COMPUTER RECRUITMENT

Integrated Systems lor Engineering

JJJ* CONSULTANT

MVS-CAD APPLICATIONS c 812,800

"BreqitJre an expert in MVS and Assembler
ieB^^ n tu!f 0 » a< ' adVant *0®)- Ko/she will be .'
aldS 08 ^! 6 for the tranaf ^ large computer-
thnir^u neerin0 8 T8tema to IBM hardware and
worbt 8SCIuent optimisation. We offer attractive
wording conditions in a rapidly expanding •

oihfl r P laa a bonus scheme, relocation and

irawiir ^ 36 ^aaKtR.BriefperiodB of foreign ■
to Paris arid the USA) are r ■

d ®tails and/or an Application Form ■ ;

T *'*phPBt Ko. (0«B) feei23. . ■ .■

JUNIOR OPERATORS

* The Banque du Rhone et de la Tamlse S.A.. a

. Swiss Bank based in Geneva, is currently-
installing new computer systems.

★ We require someone with 6—12 months
experience working in a Mainframe
environment, preferably a DEC (VAX) system.

★ Based In the City you will be working on a DEC
1 1/750 using VAX/VMS, operating on a two
shift system. In addition some clerical/
administrative work is involved.

* The salary indicator is £5.500 plus 10% shift

allowance, together with the usual benefits
associated with -a banking environment.
Fluency in French and some Banking
experience vyouiq ue auvamayouuo uuioiei iJV
necessary. ■’ ;

Apply, enclosing curriculum vitae, to:

The Personnel Officer,

Banque du Rhone et de la Tamiae S.A.,
Licensed Deposit-taker
Bankaide House.

107/112 Leadenhell Street,

Londdrt. EC3A 4AL. -. '

Tel: 01-283 8600 n, T*

YOU KNOW COBOL
NOW LEARN FRENCH

- We are a Frehch Software firm looking for . .

Project leaders ■
System analysts
Application analysts
Programmers

having experience bn 10, 2076/2982 computers.

Expertise In database management 1?. COBOL asweflae-
structured ptpgramTflng ; daidred= - -

French language akRh appfedai^d Opurfi not required, i,;..
Piece of work i Counbtes of tha Eurqjean Cdntmwiity

Please eendyourRwifwtq Mm toRAJ^CCffll. 128 niede :

Rennes 7SQ06 Ptirta phone plO 3312222S3f

CETVTI

IMMEDIATE CONTRACTS
FOR PROGRAMMERS

ANALYST

Jill M :

Rromley IBM 4300 APL

ANALYSI biuyuun iDiiivuuw.mi 0

PROGRAMMER DB/DC

ANALYST London IBM SYS 34

PROGRAMMER RPGII

ANALYST Bromley DEC DIB0L RSTS

PROGRAMMER

DB/DC

'i‘r For further details tfnrt« 0 t NI0 POLAND f V J

^<mbt>iVnT

Real-Time Software
Devetopmert

SOUTH WEST COAST

PROJECT LEADERS to £11,000
PROGRAMMERS to £9,500

Our client is a world leader in the development of advanced data communica-
tions technology using sophisticated distributed architecture.

The company is now expanding its software team at a pleasant West Country
Location. If you are that rare breed of software professional to whom high
technology /provides reai excitement and challenge, these vacancies will appeal
to you.

You -will be working on new projects at the very forefront of communications
technology, gaining invaluable skills in technically strenuous areas that will be
most relevant in years to come.

These are genuine career opportunities working with both minis and micros, on
projects small enough to avoid impersonality yet large enough to test you to the
limit.

For Project Leaders, this represents the chance to carry a project from initial
concept to final implementation, and to expand your supervisory role; while for
Programmers it is an opportunity to advance your design skills.

Project Leaders must be graduate level, with at least four years’ computing
experience, including real time software design.

Programmers, also of graduate level, need at least two years’ experience but a
specific language is of secondary importance.

The rewards include a comprehensive range of benefits, together with a most
generous relocation package where appropriate. The location offers a wide
selection of reasonably-priced housing plus excellent leisure facilities.

Interested men or women should contact Patrick Convey, quoting Reference
No. CW307.

18th Floor, The Rotunda, New Street, Birmingham B24PA
Tel: 021-632 6848 (24 Hours)

CPC

COMPUTER PfWOWCL COMSJUANTS 130

Hn I JV\ ^ Mr IBM COBOL CICS MVS prog
W IBM PL1 ASSEMBLER PROGS '

fflM PL1/CICS PROGRAMMERS
IBM COBOL CICS DL1 PROGRAMMERS
IBM SYSTEM 34 RPG2 PROGRAMMERS
*£7 >4 JT IBM SYSTEM 38 RPG 3 PROG ./ANALYSTS

IBM OS COBOL PROGRAMMERS
IBM PL1/TSO/SPF PROGRAMMERS
. w Mr ICL SYSTEM 10 ASSEMBLER ANALYST/PROGS
\Nr UNIVAC 1 100 FORTRAN PROGRAMMERS

k UNIVAC V77 PROGRAMMERS, HOLLAND

'W CAD CAM 3D GRAPHIC TECHNICAL PROGRAMMERS
W TI 990/12 PROGRAMMERS
r NCR 8400 IMOS IRX COBOL PROGRAMMERS

ADAfiAS & CATER AL PROGRAMMERS, HOLLAND, UK & USA
ICL VMEB IBM SYSTEMS SUPPORT
HP3000 IMAGE VIEW QUERY PROGRAMMERS

SAUDI ARABIA

PLI PROGRAMMERS AND ANALYSTS
IBM SYSTEMS ANALYSTS, ARABIC SPEAKING

For further information on the above
vacancies also Overseas vacancies please
contact Mike or Elizabeth

We have a reputation for moving quickly and efficiently so for an
informal chat telephone us today or send your c. v. as soon as
possible.

trr

Hampshire Based
Systems House

Our Client Is a rapidly expanding'systems house specialising In the
development and implementation of Interactive systems for the
industrial sector.

With sophisticated, high quality products they are set to accelerate
into. a significant market position. ,

ThflinriMlriiliinrlnflln^edeii I inns ' i 1 ■

Project Managers lb £15,000+Car

Possessing approximately eight years of broad data processlna •

. experience, covering programming analysis, design and U

»j «aasear /

. Essential requirements include experience with man management

Senior Programmers £9,000-£l 1,000

teassEKsaKr' ■

^rHngsa[ar^ ef1tS packaQe ,soffered in addition to the excellent •

Please Contact:
David Hendry

orley Bowles

* i * r « <

international Personnel Consultants

l fl^e Slrcel;$laine& MiddlcscxTWl 8 46 U
. Tdcphonc:6laincbfcf784)^24Z- Telex-. 8814148

□ * i

SlKPG

TRIED THE REST

MOW Ijg E US . . .

PERMANENTLY!

D0S/VSE OPERATORS
ICL 2900/VME OPERATORS
MINI OPERATORS (JUNIORS)
NETWORK CONTROLLER (IBM)
D.P. MANAGER
PROGRAMMERS
PROJECT LEADERS
SYS. 38 PROGRAMMERS
COBOL PROGRAMMERS

MIDDX./ESSEX
W. LONDON
W. LONDON
S. COAST
SURREY •-
SURREY
W. LONDON
CITY
CITY

VARIOUS WP AND VDU OPPORTUNITIES ;

Please contact KErrU ROWLAND for these an*

permanent vacancies ■; v" i

• i ‘ } V .

’ f/i.i "

V

i on t

Jt irr i h n-m

;i r;v n n j? equity ft law house

1; V.\ , U /y 102 MENS itOAD

S'. •: V\ j Kv-" nnimiTON dni syf

\ r \\ :• (-1 >; b.

COMPUTER WEEKLY July 8, 1982

ER 'SERVICES L

0273 202316

’ I ; •

Go Places

with -

IBM CICS DL1

PLI plus or minus IMS PLI CICS
HP3000 People

50 contract vacancies in 0. London, N & S
H. Counties, S & SW England

ANY PRICE
forthe
BEST MEN

N.W.ENGLAND

IBM

DOS/ySE Progs 0L1.I

0S/MV8 Anal/Progs DBAS

Progs

DPPX Progs

DEC

RSX11M Anal/Progs
Progs

'ir s v.
P'S|$

:

“ij. . :

I-

*■!

1

0L1.CICS
DBASE ± CICS

PLI

PLI ±'A$SEM

COBOL

BASIC + 2/
MACRO 11
RTL2/ MACRO 11

i V-‘ V\ x ;« •

- ■ :

:'hL- • • ; '

Sys/Prod

Anals

PROCESS DATA
ACQUISITION

SOUTHERN ENGLAND ■
IBM

DOS/VSE Anal/ Progs DBASE, CICS

Progs

CICS ■

Snr Prog CICS/DL1

•• Prog DL1

SHADOW, VSAM
•• Sys Prog CICS

DB Admin CICS/DL1

S/Ware QA Anal VARIOUS
OS/MVS Anal/Prog ±IMS

•• Bus Anal ±IM$

•• Anal/Progs CICS

DB Admin

*• S/Ware QA Anal

* OS/MVS Anal/Prog

* •• Bus Anal

•• Anal/Progs

Prog
Prog

COBOL, RPGII
COBOL
COBOL
PLI

ASSEM
COBOL, ASSEM
COBOL
PLI

PLI

32

i7i

Income Package c£17,000pa
Sakuy+Bonus+Car

Manager

Manchester

This Is a key appointment with the UK subsidiary of an
American company (part of amulti- million dollar Corporation) ,
who manufacture a successful range of 8 and 16 bit micro
computers. Distribution is effected through a nationwide
dealer network The company's flexible product range offers
total systems solutions in the £4.000 to £50,000 area to both
existing and new computer users in business, commerce and
industry.

Reporting directly to the UK General Manager, you will
recruit new dealers and manage and develop the existing
dealer network Additionally you will have future responsi-

bility for the management of six local software, engineering
and administrative staff.

You will have a proven sales trackrecord in the mini or micro
computer market and a good understanding of application
software. It would be desirable if you had some existing
management experience, as the ability to lead and motivate a
Branch Team will become essential.

For further information contact Clive Wadelin on
021-236 3781 (24 hour answering service) or on 021 449 6125
(evenings and weekends).

T&chridl, Sitai A Manage mart Appointments

jtis

f -Jyr*7*n — yfj -n - i

z z ^ cust*. r.’nurJi

xz.fi. 'znxxwrzar «vj l

-T- a.-,--. -f— ~ -P-WTIh«l -T

Specialist Computer Recruitment Ltd

SOUTH

James House, 46 James Street.
London W1M 5HS
Oi -936 0671/486 0461

MIDLANDS & INTERNATIONAL
35-37 Gieal Charles Street.
Queensway. Birmingham B3 3JY
021-2303781

NORTH

Blackfrlars House, Tin Parsonage.
Manchester M3 2JA
061 -B33 0427

BELGIUM
Avenue Louise 327,
Botte4, 1050 BnuellBS
010 322-640 7151/71

HOLLAND
Wiilemsparkweg 02,
1071 H.M. Amsteidam
0103120-760947

Computer Training

The Computing Division of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory uses a wide
selection of equipment including IBM. PRIME, GEC and ICL PERQ computers, and a
variety of graphics devices front simple terminals to a sophisticated tnicro-fllm recorder.
The moat commonly used languages ore FORTRAN, FORTRAN 77 and PASCAL.

A number of packages and libraries are used including the GINO-F graphics system
and several database systems.

A computer training organiser is required by the Computing Division to design and
run courses for staff and users of the Liiboratoiy computing equipment.

initially the person would take responsibility for the intensive training scheme for
Junior Staff recruited directly from local sLxth forms.

Fml her training courses are envisaged, at various levels; for both professional
computer staff und scientists who Intend to do their own programming.

The person required must have teaching experience, n general level of computing
knowledge, be able lu organ iso, liaise- with teachers and computing dpccinliatfi and be keen
t o gain a broad knowledge of Iho Division's computers mid the languages and software
aystems in current uae.

The past in bused Hi the Chilton ttlLcnml will be in one of the following grades:

Scientific Officer JEB.422-JS7.3B9 .

-U i i b u ill HiWfle bulea/ purchftaa may bo

...... UI, uigiUD w ng,

Sclenoo and EngineodncReBearoh Council

sstaaaa&r o ‘ ix - tiu " ttagt

Closing date far applications; 80th July 1982

FIELD SERVICE

NORTH LONDON/KOtyE COUNTIES E10K + CAR + O/T

LONDON, H. COUNTIES, N -S.6. & WEST A NORTHERN IRELAND

X"c n :r:sp m „ l 5™™r u ' ac '“ , ' r "• bu,i " M - ■"<«•<• ^

tor ■"* son™, a/

KEITH WALLIS and arrange an aa rly interview NOW
ONbl-5434844

ALLTRON1CS PEOPLE AGY.

. ;• •: • ADV-11G4

■E

ETING

Required

Dynatech Micro Software now
manufacture their range of
C.O.R.P., codewrlter antf tech-
writer programme generatore
for Micro computers In Guern-
sey.

Area Sales Staff are required
immedlatoly to cover the U.K-

training provided but previous

contracts

^BASVC/fOffmAN ,
&WABU8

®ffl / a CKa0N .

fJMTRAN FINANCIAL MOpElUNQ

. ■

ILsts Summer;
■ -(Now
(AUQ./Sapt,
(Now
(Now
• (Now

!Mw|

1 2004 COBOL/JACKSON

MONTREAL ASSOCIATE SYSTEMS LTD
98/100 High Road, Ilford, Essex IG11DS
01-553 2944 (4 lines! EMPAGY.

Clinical Trials
Principal Database
Controller

Smith Kline & French Research Limited is a UK subsidiary of a
leading international pharmaceutical company and is based at me
Frythe, near the village of Welwyn, Herls.

The Clinical Science and Information Group has a computerised
information system for Clinical Trials data, which utilises a Database
Management System (FOCUS). •

A person with a good knowledge of Focus and proven
management ability is now required to design new databases,

u i u r u e s u i'T vnwi i -ii u4i3 Qjd atabases ’ design data entry

systems for Texas Instruments OS 990/1 Intelligent Terminals ano
generally ensure the smooth running ol Ihe technical side of the
operation.

We offer competitive salaries on progressive incremental scales
Starting salary will depend on age and experience.

Benefits include discretionary end of year bonu9, 22 days’ holidfr
free life assurance and membership of BUPA, subsidised caret
and an excellent Sports and Social Club. " ~ *

Please telephone of write for an application form quoting ,
ref: CPW/160 to Marie Alpar, Recruitment Administrator.

SMITH KLINE SFRENCH RESEARCH LIMITED . \ Jfe.

Rese?rchJnstifute, The Frythe, Welwyn, Herts AL69AR , /

Tel: Welwyn Garden 251 1 1 ext. 3541

a SmithKIme compare

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

COMPUTER MANAGER

Salary negotiable £9,000-£1 0,000

Company car provided plus excellent benefits
package

Based: West London

Installation: DEC PDP11/24 under RSTS.

Applications: material control, accounting,
payroll. The company is growing rapidly and
further applications are likely.

Our client has retained us to recruit a Manager
who will run their computer department, will
assist In planning and will take part in future
development of their systems.

The job includes:

* Pay to day administration of opera-
tions.

if Co-ordination with users.
i Budgeting and planning of future
capacity.

if Some system design and program de-
velopment.

Our client needs a manager with a good tech-
nical background. This should include
knowledge of DEC RSTS, some experience of
programming in BASIC and a general under-
standing of commercial accounting.

Ploase apply to us In the first instance as the
company's advisers. You should send your
c.v. to T. Williams, Roots & Williams Asso-
ciates, 17 Wilson Street, London EC2. ia . M

Principal Systems

Development

Officer

£10,275 -£11,517 p.a.

U'dUull M B.C. has boon at thi* fim.-l'n »ril nf -a- vend
M*nifiennt computing development* in !.nc:il
f Miicrnrtietit and there is kccii uwitrum-ss m must
Ihqwrtmwits of the Authority of lh<- usl- and hvncfilj, of
uiiniiulvM. mainframe, minis and micros
Tfn- p'l-JlinMi-r will be rrsponsihlr fnr 1 7 si off. deployed in
1 Uatu,. no filnnmnu new (levvlopnu-nls. mamimning
•-xi-tinn systems and advising depnniin'nt-. as 'Un.it.Mirv
«- n.'fl »hvn many competing iliiims on the use of
■ ■•mi.uiing rcsouru-s.

A| ^iu.in(s for i liih challenging post will need lo lie
■j'ulihid in demve level or equiv.-ileni .,„d lie aide lo
Jj-nsHr-imie the ability to wp-rvim anil motivate stalTai
•ill l.ji els over a pt-rmd of at least Ky ears m computer
4 •-dopnient. prelerul.lv in I /-a. I Gnvernment and with
‘ 1 *• '•'luipmeatand software

alll.ki P r n Kl ii ,,rs '> >h Jvfcript ion and application f..rm
-ii.til.ihl.* irnm Personnel and Management Sen-ices

^ . I'nit. Civic C'entre.

n^ltipportwityenipbver Waiwii \vs 1 1 n*

1|f > 7 \2Z* Tel. Walsall -J1-J44

\A§~% |m 1 1 Km

1 I I'liisingdttle: w,68,

^.XLSAU METHOPOUTAN BOROUGH

COMPUTER

PROFESSIONALS

Seeking a New Appointment?

Contract or Permanent
Then register with us Now!

wLf I;?*®! 8 P |Btt Bre wel1 eatablished In the North
DrouiHmli » . tvv8l y® years' recruitment experience -
'ng a specialist computer personnel service.

Area^m, 80 B8t8 b*lBhed client base in the North West
dustriMi ima pportun,| le. B ,n both Commercial end In-
al env ' r onmenta, local and throughout the U.K.'

IBM ctre'n? !i a v 5. ^ nt requirements for:
^^OLMRrpm o nca 'Ji? e L ER - UNIVAC 1100

encloslrifl c^, 4 to° C0B ° L ' " t0 re ° ,Bter plea8G wrlte

Travers-Platt 7 Moss Land
employment chfi m
agency • Tei. 001-028 0499 & 530374

' 101701

for

CLASSIFIED

A °VERTISING use

DIRECT
LINE; ;
01-6610,121

Senior Systems
Programmer

Programming/Design Support

c.£13, 500 plus mortgage

Manufacturers Hanover Thist is the fourth largest American bank, with
headquarters in New York and facilities in 40 countries world-wide.
International banking systems are developed here in London.

We now wish to fill a highly visible, key position within a new team,
which will have involvement with the whole of the DP department. It is an
ideal opportunity for a Senior Systems Programmer, who would like to
exercise a wider range of skills than those usually required. Responsibilities
of the team will include directing the efforts of the Technical Support
Group, by providing expertise in the use of, rather than the installation of,
systems software and establishing program design techniques which, with
the enforcement of programming standards, will result in robust,
maintainable applications programs. It is envisaged that the team will
become a central repository of design know-how, especially in
teleprocessing.

The team will also be expected to provide technical assistance to the
application programming teams in the use of the following:

VM/CMS (Edgar) COBOL

DOS/VSE 2 (Power/Librarian/ Vollie) Assembler

CICS Command Level Dumpmaster

DL/l Call Level Structured Programming

VSAM

Team members will attend walkthroughs and Team Leader meetings,

liaise closely with the Education Department and assist in recruitment at
technical interviews.

In addition to all the technical skills required for this position, we are
looking for a friendly, ablecommunicator with good oral and written abilities.

Please contact Joan Ainsworth on 01-600 5666, extension 3533 or write
to her at Manufacturers Hanover Thist Co., O. A.S.I.S., Queensbridge
House, 60 Upper Thames Street, London, EC4V 3EN.

A

developing the banking systems of the future

Programmers/Design
Engineers £7-£1 0,000

The Spools! Systems Division of ELECTROSONIC, ah established
international Company engaged In the deslgn/manu lecture/
supply and commisalonlng or a wide range of products end
systems for the entertainments and lighting Industry, is making
ever Increasing use of dedicated processor end micro-computer
solutions to solve the one off spools! problems of Its clients, in
order to further its growth in tnis area h Hbb been decided to
augment its established Development 8eotlon by cresting under
its Systems Engineering Director a email. (Initially 4) teem of
specialist engineers to;>

CAN YOU TALK
TO PEOPLE?

We are a yount
Computer, Bug!

Our current ex

gbly successful consultancy with solid foundations in.
and Accountancy Recruitment.

Our current expansion programme has created an outstanding opportunity
within our computer division fqr an enthusiastic young consultant who a
seeking higher rewards and great personal recognition,

The role demands the ability to evaluate clients recruitment problems and
provide solutions; to assist candidates abilities, potential and optimum career
paths.

The person who loins us mil be In their mid -20s, self-motivated and creative
with good social skills. . ■

He/she must already have a sound knowledge of the p.P.. Industry in a
Client/S ales or Sysiems/Prognnuning orientated role and will receive extensive
training in recfuittpent techniques and Selection Methods. •

We icon offer an Cxccilem renmneratioa package (in excess of £14|C lo 1 yoiiti ' ;
first year) based upon performance together; with a Ibog-tonn career pa lb* : .

If yotf arc seeking greater challenge and Vdivty,.iogdher.svltfa{ higher personal ;
rewards, and fwfyou can contribute to our success contact: ■ ■ ; 'i

'• ;• migha^lcbapman nowi - / ■

’ :* * -C. . onthenumbfcrhclow L ■ • '• >■ ■' ■

34 , COLTER ^KlfTi July P, J?$2

TRIDENT CONTRACTS
Last longer than the^MQ

World Cup and -a My
Murray Mints
put together ^

FREELANCE OPPORTUNmES

SOUTHERN 0252 516141 »

APL Programmers

BURROUGHS 66/6800 DMS 11 COBOL

Michael Jackson Structured techniques with COBOL
Analysts with Life Assurance or Financial background
Analysts various Systems
UNIVAC 1100 COBOL some with DMS
UNIVAC 1100 Fortran
UN IV AC 90/30 OS RPG II
UNIVAC 90 IMS COBOL
IBM Adabas Analysts/Programmers
IBM COPICS
IBM, OS COBOL
IBM, COBOL, CICS&DL1
IBM PL1 Various requirements
IBM 8100, DPPX, DPCX, COBOL
IBM SYSTEM 34, RPG II
IBM 4300 RPG II
IBM COBOL, CICS & QPAC
IBM CICS (DMS)

IBM IMS DB/DC PROGRAMMER
SYSTEMS DESIGNERS
IBM CMS COBOL

IBM CICS, VTAM, COBOL/ASSEMBLER

IBM MARK IV

IBM PL1, SHADOW

IBM System Programmers

IBM MVS COBOL SHADOW IDMS .

IBM Assembler on-line DATABASE & TASK MASTER

IBM SYSTEM 38 RPG III

IBM PL1 to COBOL CONVERSION expertise

HONEYWELL Level 6 COBOL SCREEN WRITE

HONEYWELL DPS 4, IPS, COBOL

HONEYWELL DPS8 COBOL

PROGRAMMERS

ICL Applications Manager

ICL ME29 COBOL

ICL VMEB, IDMS

ICL Range COBOL

ICL SYSTEM 10 ASSEMBLER

ICL SYSTEM 25 ASSEMBLER

ICL Software Programmer VMEB (S3)

POP RSTS/E BASIC l- or BASIC + 2 (some with DATABOSS)
PDP RSX11M BASIC +2

YftYnnfiir ■ < ■ ■•» ■ ■ ■ ■ 1 mmm

VAC COBOL
SYCOR Expertise
\HP3000 COBOL. . ..

WANG COBOL or BASIC
FORTRAN PROGRAMMERS ; ■

PASCAL PROGRAMMERS' - V
TAN DE M any levels (URGENT)

: CORAL 66

VENTEK DATAPOINT, DATABUS
DATA GENERAL INFOS COBOL .

; 8086, MDS, KJJE, MTQS, PLM Programmers
VARI AN V77 COBOL, ASSEMBLER
.-Hardware Engineers

□□□□□□□

□■■■■■□

□□□■□on

□□□■□□□

Software Engineers
CMC REALITY SMI packages
SYSTEM X

Contact: STEVE WHITING, NEIL SMITH,

STEVE CASEY, DEREK WADHAM, DAVE PEART, DAVE
LONKHURST,

KEITH TAYLOR, PETER HOLLIDAY,

MARK ATKINSON or SANDRA CAREY

URGENT

ICL COBOL VMEB
SOME WITH IDMS or
TPMS

40 REQUIREMENTS
ASAP

URGENT

CORAL 66

ANALYSTS + PROGRAMMERS
LONG TERM START ASAP - AUGUST 82

OVERSEAS

0252516141

SAUDI

Operations Analyst - Programmers -
Analysts - Systems Designers/Consultants

IBM l^i —

Commencing July 1 982
Contact Bill Evens

HOLLAND

M^rk tV 0,1 JUlV/AU0 ‘ ~ 1000 term asai 9 nmam - IBM FORTRAN,

and GRAPHICS. Technical application.

3x P/As - start July/Aua. 6 months
+ assignments. IBM DOS COBOL

^^i™n a r fac,urinBappiications -

OPERATORS
0252 510141

URGENT

BURROUGHS 67/6800
SHIFT LEADER
on long term

Contact: ALAN PAINE

MIDLANDS & NORTH
021-742 4431

ICL VMEB COBOL IDMS or TPMS
All levels

IBM, PL1 All levels

IBM CICS DL1 COBOL

IBM COBOL with IMS

IBM SYSTEM 34 RPG II A/P - Merseyside

UNIVAC 1100 COBOL

IDMS DATABASE Administrator

Analysts Various Systems

PDP RSX1 1/M BASIC + or BASIC + 2

PDP/RSTS/E BASIC +

FORTRAN PROGRAMMERS

URGENT "7

IBM ANALYSTS manufacturing back-
ground ASAP

UNIVA OS3 RPG PROGRAMMERS
RTL 2 Programmers

Contact: NEIL E. SMITH or
KAREN LONGCROFT

PERMANENT

VACANCIES

IBM Analysts and Programmers
COBOL, DL1, CICS - SOUTH AFRICA
IBM SYSTEM 34
RPGIIA/Ps
SURREY to £1 IK

(Retraining will be given on RPG III)
HP3000 COBOL PROGRAMMERS or.
ANALYST PROGRAMMER
Any commercial experience, various
locations Including Surrey, Middlesex,
Berkshire Excellent salaries plus ralocatio
package ■* "«T • /.■l '-

For furUiar advice on ttwaa career mow -.

nr Bill EwinJi or write micImIim a datiPad CV ■ ■ —

niE COMPANY THAT CARES

IS 9! Nt HOUSE, ' ELMDON HOUSE, • > . |;5

HAN^ V nM?7i S? FARNBOROLK jH, : 2291 COVENTRY RGftg
HANTS, GIJ 14 7UD ; Telex: 858 233 ; ■ • BIRMINGHAM B263PS

Tel. Farnboraugh (0252) 516141 : t 0 i- /V>i.7A?4431 • -

n

r

i

\

II

-

i

n

i

1

j

4

U

1

U

U

•iW

COAiPlif ER WBEKL^; }Uy 8,’

We urgently require experienced analysts and pro-
grammers with the following skills for contracts in
London and surrounding counties.

*IBM

*IBMSYS.34

*B68Q0& 6900
*HP3000
*DATA
GENERAL

Analyst/Progranuner CICS, PL1, IMS
Analyst/Programmer CICS, ASSEMBLER
Senior Programmer CICS,PL1
Senior Programmer CICS, COBOL, DL1
Programmer OS, COBOL

Programmer DOS, COBOL, DL1,

VSAM

Programmer RPGII

Programmer DPPX, COBOL

Programmer COBOL

Programmer COBOL

Programmer „ ADS,INF0S2,
COBOL

vb'iT-.;:'. [| K::&v^?Jiv'o

We have been retained by National Semi-Conductors, one of the
world s largest and most successful electronic companies. They have
immediate permanent requirements for highly experienced people
based in

It is essential to possess a degree in Computer Science or related
subject, coupled with an in-depth experience of MVS internals en-
compassing CICS ACS/VTAM, SPS, TSO, SPF, and a sound working
knowledge of SMP4. a

A good appreciation of telecommunications, ideally ASF/ VTAM, but
TSAM or VTAM would be acceptable.

The successful candidates would be expected to have Installed and

products, also to be fully conversant with
ASSEMBLER language.

These are exceptional opportunities for highly skilled d.p. profes-
sionals who have a strong desire to succeed in a competitive environ-
ment.

Contact: Janet Chilvers on 01-437 3942.

We are also interested in hearing from people with either IMS/-
COBOL, CICS/COBOL, CICS/PL1, IDMS, DL/1 or PL1.

If you are on contract or are seriously considering taking up
contract work, don’t delay, forward a c.v. or contact JACKIE
ROBBINS today.

i 1 '• i

9 I 1 •

Computer Recruitment Limited

Lincoln Model House
32/34 Great Marlborough Street
London W1V 1HA
Telephone: 01-437 3942

SOFTWARE HOUSE
OPPORTUNITIES

London, Oxford, N.West

^~»Taar*jsas£iasss-

comparw ffin iJS exl8 L‘P 0x,ord and North West England. As the
siabSitywe are coSiSSv f ° r profass 1 lonalism - Personal development and

opportunities 0nfldent that th08B vacancies offer real long term career

HONEYWELL EXPERTISE SENIOR PROGRAMMERS c £8,000

II you have HONEYWFi i i tuun dco ^ ou " !l ' b9 Involved In spealfylng and

nera I® much Interesting and experience gained to date will prove to be
^.1,0 work on hand on a major Invalueble lo you and you will be eager
P'PJect Involving both ON-LINE and ,or a career step forward outside a

DATABASE concepts Our client seeks- conventional Programming role.

COBOL PROGRAMMERS to £8,000

You Will akariT lo C 1 1 * 00d You shQU,d possess good HONEYWELL
iysiems'br nmnrom ? ea R n 8 *P® ri ence at COBOL experience and a desire to grow
now be a seninFS? leve i(oryou may In a professional environment. You

P f ogress) Yoi?LW/ flmmar iS should recognise the importance of a

P f ogfamminoh^l!v« a « B 8 solid COBOL structured development, environment
Io^bIod ,8 ^ °ond and be eager utilising good standards and have ah
P rther yo ur technical skills. enthusiastic attitude to your work.

o UWi ,S IT V ASSURANCE ANALYSTS to£14, OOO

OMdldalMwIllh.,.:.

^^fe[ a d „r ,h,nbo,h Z3SSS3SSS2BSBSP

Th ®V wl11 also be Involved software for advanced computer -

C0ntinua]rL&^ me,hods and ,he 3y8tem8 ' , .

!*"• "» u K pro|ecl5 ' ™SfiSsa a i, l L nowWos 01 our,enl

prov0n record

a&» j3aBBte aaa£fig"

wl " be

dlstlnot

'• Over 5 years experience in the design
and implementation 'of applications -
software for advanced computer -
systems. .

• A good general knowledge of current
computer hardware.

• A good general understanding of
computer software applications design
facilities and security methods.

• A desire 16 undertake s management
role In a controlled and professional way
In a dynamic environment. -

DftAYohOI *439^985 during office hours; or
P'ssae send your C/?to S^dr^^to* ^ V6n nfla 8hd W0ekend8; Alternallvely : :

\sfkvic is

First fkx>r
35 Piccadilly
London W1V 9PB
Telephone 01 439 8985

PROGRAMMERS

Adabas/Natural

SENIOR PROGRAMMER

' PL1 /Database/CICS

SALES EXECUTIVES

Packagas/MIcroB/Peripherals/Turnkey

ANALYST PROGRAMMERS

COBOL IBM/HP/ICL ME29

PRE/POST SALES SUPPORT

Mlnis/Realtl ma/Cad/Cam

ANALYSTS

IBM/COPICS

SYSTEMS ANALYST ft PROGRAMMERS

On Una exp/VMEB or K/or George 3

SOFTWARE DESIGNERS

rnnnL/PASCAL/RTL2

SYSTEMS/APPLICATIONS PROGRAMMERS

Strong IBM environment preferred

ANALYST PROGRAMMERS

ICL 29ES/Databa8e/Fortran/Pascal

HARDWARE TRAINING INSTRUCTOR

Wide selection of applications

ANALYST PROGRAMMERS

RPG 3/System 38

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS

RADAR/MIHtary/ATE/CORAL :

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANTS

Commercial Software exp/ Accounting qualifications .
Data General COBOL

Programmer analysts

IBM/ICL COBOL

PROJECT LEADERS/MANAGERS .

PROGRAMMERS CAD/CAM

' ... . .... • ' |'V ? ’ • 'V ^

ANALYSTS'"

ManufacfUrlng/Production

SENIOR PROGRAMMERS * .i-

COBOL/IMS. - ; . .T . . . i . . .

tolOK

London/Home Counties

to £15K.

Croydon/Beds./Berks

to £25K

N. Yorka/N. Berks/Harts/Oxford

to £10K

London/Easex/Susaex/Hants.

to £12K

Berks/Middx/London

to £12K

Plymouth/London/Middx.

to £1 IK

Surrey/East Anglia/Bucks

to 13K

Sussex.

• West Midlands

to £12K

London

to 15K
London Surrey

to£10K

i Norfolk

to iik
Home Counties

to 16K
Berks.

to £9K

N.Londbri/Bcotland

to£13.5K

London /Ho mB Counties..

, tp £12K

Eddbx.

; ;td£l2K

:• Wales/BrisfdL 1

1 ^orthpnt^/Bflptol;

For the opportunity to hear about yOUR kind of ioiihi^ughout.'tho ' U^telo:phahe^ : ' ! . ;

PON'-THAMES

COMPUTER ^TEEKLV , July 8, 1982

WVW\/WW\A/W\/\/V

ICL SYSTEMS &
PROGRAMMING

KENT ANALYST PROGRAMMER c£1 1,000

Progressive organisation situated in Kent is currently seeking to recruit an Analyst /- 1
Programmer with a minimum of three years' iCL Cobol programming experience. 1

Programmer with a minimum of three years' iCL Cobol programming experience. 1
Knowledge of analysis and TOTAL Data Base would be of particular advantage.
However, thorough training Is available where necessary for the right candidate.
Perks include an excellent starting Balary and generous discount on Company
products.

KENT PROGS & A/PROGS to £9,000

Prestigious Company based in North Kent is seeking to further enhance its pro-
gramming and systems capability, hence the need for experienced ICL Cobol ;
programmers and analysts, radicular attention will be given to candidates posses-
sing 18 months' to three years' experience.

i h i f MW

SENIOR PROGRAMMER £8,500

Medium range ICL user requires a senior programmer to lead a development team
responsible for implementation of new systems on an ICL ME 29. Thorough ■
knowledge of ICL small range hardware, including ME 29 TME, would be sdvanta- j
geaua as after Implementation promotion prospects to chief programmer are avail- 1
able, so ensuring the continued smooth running of the department.

C. LONDON PROGRAMMERS CE8.000

Two Companies based in central London are currently seeking programming per-
sonnel with 18 months' plus DME Cobol experience. A commercial background and
good educational standard is daslrsd. Various perks apply.

SURREY PROGS & A/PROGS to £9,000

Financial concern based in the stockbroking bait Is seeking programmers and
analyst/programmers with a minimum of 18 months' Cobol programming exper-
ience. A financial background coupled with experience of VME/B or VME 2900
would be of particular interest, however any ICL commercial mainframe beck-
ground will be considered.

This Is Just a small selection

of currant ICL requirements. For details of

these and others not advertised, call ua now.

CICS TRAINING
IBM COBOL PROGS
to £12,000 4- Mortgage

We have been retained by this impressive international company in Central London
to recruit a team of six people ranging from programmers to senior analyst pro-
grammers.

Applicants must have a minimum of eighteen months IBM COBOL experience. '■ }
The company offers training in CICS AND DL/1 . .)

These positions are due to expansion and the embarkation of NEW DE- )
VELOPMENT PROJECTS. . \

The company retains IBM 4341 hardware running under DOS/VSE using CO- j
BOL, CICS AND DL/1. For the more senior positions applicants should havea J\
minimum of 1 year’s analysis experience. j

if Subsidised mortgage f

★ Salary review within 3 months /

★ Flexi hours j

★ Pension and life assurance scheme (

★ Easy reach of Charing Cross, Waterloo and Victoria {

Ref. S6404 /

K

Apex Computer Recruitment Ltd
59 Grays Inn Rood, London WC1.
01-404 4821 24 hours.

01-439 7871

24 hour answer phone

Datascene f /■■■] ■{■• r* c /"■ n .o. 1 ul-4«J9 /B/1

International l U . K... I wi hour answer phone

a i i* . f London A

Limited Brussels BS^Cl *,,£4^

Sceptre House 169/173 Regent Street London W1R 7FB. Telex: 25851.

London a
Brussels fiS/fl.

rF

ANALYST/

PROGRAMMER

Greater Manchester

£8K-£8V£K + Large Company Benefits

Our client, a major IBM Computer user who is a
large international concern in the automotive
industry, requires an Analyst/Programmer for their
Manchester Head Office. M

★ at least 2 years programming expertise in COBOL
•using CICS and DLL „ : JV.,.;

. ★ hot less than 12 months experience in Systems
• Analysis.

- Knowledge of DOS/VSE and Manufacturing
applications (order processing, warehousing etc)
would be an advantage, but is not essential.

The Company also requires a Trainee
Programmer with knowledge of COBOL, who has
either recently qualified or has a few months
experience - salary £5K to £6K.

Candidates, male or female, should in the first
instance contact JEFF WALTON on 061 236 1 157
(daytime) or on 061 962 0002 (evenings and weekends
until 9.00 pm).

inTERFACE

RECRUITMENT & SELECTION CONSULTANTS

Manchester House, 86 Princess Street, Manchester Ml 6NG.
Tel: 061 -236 1 157.

CONTRACTS

PROGRAMMERS

IBM COBOL

IMS

ASAP

PDP11

ASSEMBLER RSX11

ASAP

immxm

ASAP

..ASAP

IBM 4300

TOTAL

AUGUST

IBM COBOL

• IMS

JULY

IBM COBOL

VSAM

JULY

ICL SYS 10

ASSEMBLER

JULY

IGLME29

COBOL TP

ASAP

ICL 2900

COBOL SCLVMEB

ASAP

ICL 2900

PASCAL VME

ASAP

ICL 2900

COBOL IDMS

ASAP

ICLME29

COBOL MTS TP

ASAP

ICL SYS.25

ASSEMBLER

ASAP

ESSEX

HERTS.

LONDON

MIDDX.

SUSSEX

BEDS.

HANTS.

BEDS.

LONDON

BERKS.

BERKS.

.VARIOUS

ESSEX

MIDDX.

ANALYSTS & SYSTEM*
PROGRAMMERS

SYS PROG. ICL SYS 10 ASAP

ANALYST -. ICL SYS 10 ASSEMBLER ASAP

HERTS. ;
LONDON

1 ■ — .v. -

PLEASE telephone Joan or Psyl on Arnersham 102403)

C.V.to Plyrhquth House,7 Loridbn Rba^Ameriharn, Bucks. HP^ 0n^* : ';7f

PROGRAMMING
& SYSTEMS LTD

r5’

COMPUTER WEEKLY 1 , July 8, 1982

. \

37

Realtime Software for Process Control

Senior Software Engineers/Software Engineers

An expanding sub division of an International Company specialising in Process
Control for Power Station Computer Systems Energy Management Control
Systems seek additional Engineers for permanent careers on English speaking
Projects in Switzerland.

The senior Projects in Switzerland

The senior positions fall into four categories and candidates should have rele-
vant experience to work on the following areas:

Quality Assurance

★ Methods

★ Tools

★ Operating Systems

★ Programming Environment

Man Machine Communications

★ Display Systems

★ Plotters

★ Magic Boards

if. Engineering Consoles

Communications Networks

★ X25

★ Decnat

★ Systems Architecture

Power Applications Systems
if Electric Network
★ Closed Loop Control
if SCADA

Software Engineers; we are looking for candidates to concentrate on. estab-
lishing new standard Software. Successful candidates should have most of the
following experience: A degree, 3/5 years' Real Time experience, PASCAL,
CORAL, Assembler, VAX 7/80, PDP11, VMS, RSX1 1 M and Industrial Systems.

ENGLISH SPEAKING PROJECT
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

We have been retained by an expanding division nf an international company
specialising in telecommunications to recruit several SOFTWARE ENGlNtfcHS
to develop and implement software for a NEW PUBLIC DATA SWITCHING
SYSTEM, involving working on Operating Systems, Diagnostics, Telex applica-
tions and X25 Interfaces.

Successful Candidates may look forward to enhancing their career prospects, : .
gaining valuable experience in an international environment.

Interviews will take place in London later this summer. For further details on
the above two companies, conditions of employment and living in Switzerland.
Please send C.V. or write for application form quoting reference numbers, ewa?/?

i

38

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8, 1982

Field Service
Engineers

r to

Salary to

£ 13,000

Plus Car

Our Client has recently introduced a superb new product
range, which places them right at the fore-front of
technology. In order to ensure that their position as one of
the world's leading Computer Manufacturers is maintained,
they need to provide support which is second to none, and are
therefore currently seeking experienced Field Service
Engineers to join their brand new engineering group.

' The ideal candidates will have first class experience of
IBM or IBM plug compatible hardware, and equally important
have the presence and personality to represent our Client at

The North West

the highest level of customer contact.

These are definite ‘ground-floor* opportunities within a
highly professional and forward thinking Organisation, and
offer the successful candidates real prospects for
advancement. An attractive salary package is offered, plus a
wide range of benefits which will include relocation
assistance if required. So, telephone our Advising Consultant
Peter Lees on 021-236 3781 (24 hour answering service) or
0902 632141 (7-9 pm evenings and weekends).

Interviews will be held in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Technical. Sales & Management Appointments

(0082)

Specialist Computer Recruitment Ltd Jmcs H Slre(:l

London WlM 5HS
01-936 0671/486 04C1

MIDLANDS & INTERNATIONAL
35-37 Great Charles Street.
Oneensway. Birmingham 03 3JY
021-2363781

NORTH

Blacklriars House. Tho Parsonngo,
Manchester M3 2JA
061-833 0427

BELGIUM
Avenue Louise 327.
Bolte 4. 1050 Bruxelles
010 322-840 7161/71

HOLLAND
Wlllcmsparkwcg 92.
1071 H.M. Amsterdam
010 3120-760947

BAHRAIN

Technical
Analyst

c £19,000 Tax Free
+ Benefits

K:ilir:tiu is a stable and progressive State with - for t he greater part oj
ihc yy.tr

CONTRACTORS

* WE URGENTL Y REQUIRE EXPERIENCED
\ COBOL PROGRAMMERS LIVING IN OR NEAR
\ HERTS, PREF. WITH VAX AND/OR IBM EXPERIENCE

SALES EXECUTIVES

Refresh The Parts Of Your Potential
That Your Present Employer Cannot

Reach!

There is a lot of uncertainty in the computer industry at the present time. Many of
the giants of the computer establishment are reorganising and rationalising in the
hope of getting in tune with market realities, whilst a myriad of entrepreneurial upstarts
euphorically attempt to get an act together with “cloned" micros and panacea soft-
ware. Neither is a situation that implies present security or future satisfaction for sales
people.

Our client Is one of the big international success stories of the computer industry
with a considerable reputation (or innovation and quality and a turnover rapidly
moving towards £1 billion. Their product range extends from large computer systems
to micros embracing among other things, DDP and small business systems. They are
a large, secure and fast expanding organisation that manages to maintain ali the
benefits of a small company environment. Substantial new products come along with
astounding regularity and everything points towards a very exciting and successful
future.

The company's next phase of expansion calls for the recruitment ol experienced
computer people who' have a substantial record’ of success in selling computer
systems to industry and commercial end-users as well as major systems houses in

LONDON and the SOUTH
THE MIDLANDS
NORTHERN ENGLAND

All new recruits will enjoy the benefit of Inilial training in Ihe USA as well as a
generous income package which provides a substantial long term minimum income
guarantee and on-targel earnings in 1982/3 of up to

£20,000 -I- COMPANY CAR

Please supply complete career details to Alasdalr Scott or Peter Hubble (01-734
9776), or Alan Williams (05432 56612), quoting reference SSB/072.

LONDON & SOUTH MIDLANDS & NORTH

29 Oxford Street
London W1. (01) 734 9776

39 Bore Street, Lichfield
Staffs. (05432) 56612

Answering Service after 6 pni and weekonds
SALES TRAINING, MARKET RESEARCH, RECRUITMENT

'I'll- l V-.’.I llinni.’. r\ HUiJ.'l V/UM uauiilgkUIIIL, uniuaill

u growing range of industries - foremost of these being oil production
and refining;- . •

The Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited has a growing Computer
Services Depariihepit and now seek art Analyst with a technical/O. R. or.
engineering backgrounds wdrk With a small team of specialists on
Planning and Engineering applications . This area is of growing
importance to the companyand as such offers exceltent career
progression..

Applicants should have sound FORTRAN experience, preferably
pined in an IBM environment, together with experience of leading at
least one project through from initial study to implementation.

They Offer Excellent tax free salaries

•Free furnished accommodation (single or married), and all
maintenance

Five weeks' paid leave, plus free return fligh t to the U . K.
Free primary schooling at the Company’s school in Bahrain
Considerable assistance towards children's secondary
education .

Generous free travel for children being educated overseas
Free medical/dcntal attention for all staff
Excellent social alid recreational facilities.

To apply please telephone Andrew Cousins on 01-4997761 oi
outside office hours on 02934 73951 or write to him enclosing full
personal and career details quoting reference 6168.

lor

iifniso

Uqyd Chapman
Associates i

LoodooWlY QHR OHPP*

IBM

IBM DOS COBOL
IBM VM/CMS COBOL
IBM DOS COBOL CIC8
irm rpr? net;

IBM DOS COBOL 4- BANKING EXPERIENCE

IBM VM/CMS
IBM ADADAS NATURAL
IBM MVS/V81 COBOL •

IBM 08/VS PL/t CICS
IBM OS/DL/1 CICS COBOL
•IBM OS CIC8 COBOL

jBM series i rpq Experience

IBM OS COBOL & IMS DB/DC
IBM DOS PL/1 CICS (PLUS DATABA8E)

ICL

SYSTEMIC or 25 ASSEMBLER
CL ME 29 TME COBOL
ICL 2900 VMEB COBOL
ICL 18Q0'8 GEORGE 2 AND 3 COBOL

OTHERS

ZSKS l^^/JF”I^L c A ANA ir YSTS and programmers
s6ries 3 spl proqmmmers

SSXSS£59P59 cessor + assembler

:

BURROUGHS CMS COBOL PROGRAMMERS

ANALYSTS

SYSTEMS ANALYSTS (N. LONDON). • .

A Computer. Search contract starts by calling Kelly on

Hemel Hempstead (0442) 40761 (24 hour answer s^vke). ^

Computer Search (Contracts) Ltd.; * ' *

Hamilton Housp.hfarlowes.'.v " .vr
Hemel Hempstead, Hern. HPf’ 1 BB, • • i f

■ ; i I- ’ .

■ a m -M •• _ La: i

PROGRAMMERS

programmers

ANALYST/PROGRAMMER8
ANALYST/PROGRAMMERS •

ANALYST/PROGRAMMER8

analyst/prog^mejs
SYSTEMS SPECIAU|T
SY8TEMS PROGRAMMERS
ANALYST/PROGRAMMffiS

SENIOR PROGRAMS"

Gramme

ANALYST/PROGRAMMEH3

c0NsulT M?®!!S

SYSTEMS PROGRAMMED

sss*

Senior

Contract Assignment

DESIGNER/TEAM LEADER
IBM 3790 and/or 8100 DPCX

If you are interested In this challenging
and rewarding assignment

Please Ring: Sheila Fox
• - • Link Associates Limited

24a High Street, Chesham, Bucks. (0494) 784922 **

ft*

IBM SYSTEM 38

COMPUTER SYSTEMS
CONTROLLER

ClO-mp.a.

LOCATION MIDDLESEX

Our client, who provides services to the offahore oil In-
dustry, Is Installing en IBM System 3B In Kayes,
Middlesex. They are seeking a Data Processing profes-
sional with good operations background to take complete
charge of the installation.

Successful candidate must have in-depth knowledge'of
IBM System 34 or 38 hardware and software, manage-
ment experience, and most Important/ be able to HeTse
diplomatically with outside clients.

For further Information, please contact Anne Breuer on
(01) 8388885 or, If you prefer, write to her at:

PRESCOT COMPUTERS LIMITED
11/13 Broad Court
Covent Garden

London WC2B SON • '

roioii

(00701

^ FOR

CLASSIFIED

ADVERTISING use

DIRECT

LINE

01-661 0121

. . v .i\ v-v'-i)

1 23, N^wBohd

; i] :v. I y.' i $ jt..; i V-tTij

Surrey Education Committee 1

BAOOKlANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Heath ft»d,Weybrldge, Surrey
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY .f

Lecturer I - Computing

td tssch BEC/TEC; GCE *A' level and similar. courses. Ap-
propriate qualifications and 'ability to teach Dr and Cobol
desirable., ; . I *v ■ ■■.'"■■ ' , ■■

Post td be flllsd for, September 1982 - or as toon as
possible. :

Salary Scalar Lecturer 1 - £6,36B-£8,287 p.a. plus £213 j
pBrannbrp London Fringe Area Allowance. ■; '• , i.

dornmdnclng aaleiy dependent upon qualifications, gnd, '
. ; expOriahcb. . '• .; v

; GeherdUsrelooatlon expenses In approved cases.-.. :,ij !■;
Further details end abpllaation form'.from thq Principal: tb
I -.fo returned by MONDAY, 19lh JUU . 1882.; . , , W«)

COMPUTER WEEKLY, July 8 , 1982

SALES BIT

Quality of Management — 17

39

Freedom from
stress has to
be worked at

MOST managers are ex-
posed to stress some of the
time, and many have to put
up with it most of the time.
Some managers manage to
maintain an air of apparent
tranquillity in the most dire
circumstances, whereas
others become worriers at
the slightest setback.

It is never easy to tell
whether or when a particu-
lar person might be affected
by the stress of the job and
its accompanying circum-
stances. Usually the first
person, and often the only
person, to realise that
somebody has a stress re-
lated problem is the suf-
ferer.

As I explained last week,
one of the primary effects of
anxiety and fear is to put the
involuntary nervous system
into a tizzy, because of the
way it was programmed
back in the primaeval slime -
As a result it generates a
variety of physical
symptoms that may not be
valid in the direct sense, eg
increased heart beat without
any muscular demand for
increased blood flow, but
pertinent in its implication
that something is wrong and
must be put right before it
gets out of hand.

The nature of such early
warning signals varies
widely, but at the individual
level they tend to exploit an
area of fundamental weak-
ness. With some people
stress always rears its ugly
head in the form of indiges-
tion; with others it may be
headaches or insomnia.

In his book, Stress
Control, Vernon Coleman
lists what he considers the
mo&tjmporiam physical
signs of impending illness
arising from stress overload:
chest pains, diarrhoea,
headaches, indigestion, in-
somnia, palpitations, tired-
ness. He also lists a number
of mentally-related indica-
tions of the same situation
- inability to relax, intol-
erance, irritability and short
temper, poor memory, ina-
bility to concentrate, re-
duced will power, un-
controlled emotions,
inability to complete tasks,
impulsive behaviour, over-

mntinn

prisonmeni; death of close
relative; personal injury or
illness; marriage; being
sacked at work; retirement.

In the complete list of 26
categories that situation
familiar to all salespeople
“change of financial state’ 1
comes Nth and “change of
job or major change of work
responsibility" comes 16th-

Our automatic reaction to
a stress situation, be it that
of our own or of someone
else, is to assume that it has
a single root cause. Often
this is not the case; it is
rather an accumulation of
problems that can all be
handled individually, but
when they occur Rt me same
time are overwhelming.

Dealing with stress in a
constructive manner is ea-
sier said than done. I believe
that 1 have grown to under-
stand it but have fallen far
short of overcoming it. If
you are the type of person
who operates under burden
of a self-inflicted work ethic,
it is difficult to ease off when
the pressure is on.

However, self-discipline
is essential if long-term sur-
vival from business stress is
to be achieved. Working
every evening and weekend
to tie down a job is not
smart. There has to be time
for contrast in the form of
exercise and mental relaxa-
tion.

If you don’t look after
voursclf no-one else will,
least of all the company on
whose behalf you appear to
be making your sacrifice. If
there truly are not enough
hours in the day to do your
job properly, then this can
only be for any of three
reasons^ you arc badly orga-
nised; your job was designed
for more than one person;
you are working for the
wrong company.

Whichever it is, the prob-
lem must be resolved in
some other manner than
working yourself into a ner-
vous breakdown.

Freedom from stress can
only occur within a job that
is truly within one's capabi-
lities and provides real satis-
faction. Ambition can be a

dreadful trap if it takes us
beyond the threshold of our

Win cue. mat/

m08t cause cvitably accompanies the

anxiety for someone; it all
depends on the nature of the
individual. In business there
are obvious things like de-
motion, loss of job, failure
to achieve, and so on.

~ In i the same book Vernon
Coleman quotes from The

S. C. ta *Si2^5 coropany is

anxiety of failure.

Freedom from stress and
its consequences has to be
worked at. It cannot be left
to circumstance, L particu-
larly .for those prone to
worry. Being happy in onrt’s •
Job m terms of the task fo-

ot

precedence, the problems
most likely to cause stress:

Death of spouse; divorce;
marital separation; im* 1

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come and slap something in
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